Professional Documents
Culture Documents
WRITER/COMPOSER:
The writer and/or composer name goes on this line.
ADDRESS:
The writer/composer’s address goes on this line.
Circle your PRO (publishing rights’ organization). BMI, SESAC, and ASCAP are societies responsible for
collecting income on behalf of publishers. They track down cash for you when your music is played on television
and AM/FM airwaves, internet radio services like Pandora, at a club, inside a restaurant, at a concert, or publicly
broadcast in some other fashion. You have to register with your selected PRO. These stations pay fees to the PROs,
who in turn pays their registered publishers, songwriters, producer, etc.
If an artist is its own publisher, they will get both the writer’s share and publisher’s share. If they have a publishing
deal, the publisher’s share will be split with artist and publisher accordingly.
How to determine “songwriter’s share” splits? (publisher’s share is usually identified via contractual agreement)
The song-splits for the songwriter’s share are completely up to the writers, there is no rule.
Option 1: Go the easy route and give each contributor equal ownership.
Option 2: Give each writer a percentage equal to their contribution. You can evaluate each contribution by its length
and value to the overall song.
What is a publisher?
A publisher owns or administers copyrights in songs and licenses them to companies and other entities that use
music, such as record labels, radio stations, filmmakers, and advertisers. The publisher then collects the license fee,
keeps their cut, and pays the rest to the songwriters or their heirs. For the most part, songwriters should be receiving
their songwriter’s share directly, while publisher receives the publishing income.
A good publisher has the contacts and experience allowing them to promote songs to the maximum number of
licensees and negotiate good terms for their use. They will also stay on top of industry developments and actively
seek out sources of income.
Date: ______/_________/_______
______/________/________
______/_______/_________
(list the day song was produced and written, list each day if more than 1)
_____________________________________________________________
Any Samples? YES / NO (circle one) Album & Artist Sampled: _______________________
Note: Each songwriter and composer/producer gets a copy of the fully completed sheet
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________________________