stupid fucking songwriting deals

Traditional publishing deal

• Songwriter assigns copyright to publisher in
exchange for an advance vs. future royalties.
• Publisher controls usage.
• Publisher splits proceeds from income on a
50/50 basis.
• Expenses deducted– demos, collection costs,
lead sheets.

co-publishing deal

• Publisher and Writer share the Publishing Share.

• Writer still gets the Writer’s Share

• Publisher handles all Admin.

admin deal

• Songwriter gets no money up front.
• Publisher does not own copyright.
• Publisher takes a % (typically 10 – 20%) of
proceeds, after expenses.
• Expenses - © registration, demos, lead sheets.
• Higher rate to publisher (25-30%) for cover
songs (outside artist performing writer’s song)
obtained by the publisher.

Monthly Draw

Publishing advances for songwriters differ from recording advances for artists in that they are often paid in monthly installments rather than in an up-front lump sum.

Minimum Delivery Requirements

• A Songwriter Deal will contain Minimum Delivery
Requirements in order to Advance the Term or
Move the Term Forwards.
• Minimum Delivery Commitment: During each
contract period, X# 100% songs, or the equivalent
thereof, X# of which must be released on a major
label. Each released song must achieve a penny rate of no less than X cents. (usually 9.1¢)

Controlled Compositions

• Any song in which the recording artist has a
writing interest.
• Controlled Composition Clause sets caps on
payouts of Mechanical Royalties from Label to
Publisher and Writer on Controlled
Compositions.