What is a co-writer agreement?
A co-writer agreement is a contract between songwriters that documents ownership, terms, and rights for a co-written song. Here’s everything you need to know.
Definition
A co-writer agreement records each songwriter’s ownership percentage and includes terms about licensing, transfers, publishing, and income distribution. It’s a step up from a split sheet in terms of legal detail.
Co-writer agreement vs. split sheet
A split sheet records names, roles, and percentages. A co-writer agreement adds detailed terms. Use a split sheet for simple collaborations; use a co-writer agreement for complex ones with multiple publishers or licensing considerations.
Ready to draft your agreement?
Create agreementWhen you need one
- Multiple publishers are involved
- The song may be licensed for film/TV (sync)
- Territorial restrictions apply
- Publishing administration needs to be defined
- Sample clearances are involved
How to create one
Use the co-writer agreement generator to add writers, assign percentages, and include custom terms. If you need help determining percentages, use the music split calculator first.
Create a co-writer agreement
Add writers, percentages, and terms. Download as PDF.
CAZEN is free for now.
Continue your workflow
Use these tools to put what you learned into practice.
Co-Writer Agreement Generator
Draft a co-writing agreement with custom terms and signature lines.
Draft agreementMusic Split Calculator
Calculate ownership splits using equal, manual, or weighted methods.
Calculate splitsSplit Sheet Generator
Create a split sheet PDF with names, roles, and percentages.
Create split sheetWork-for-Hire Agreement Generator
Create a work-for-hire agreement for creative contractors.
Create agreementMake it permanent.
A PDF can be edited or disputed. In CAZEN, every collaborator signs digitally and the record is permanently timestamped.
Free during early access. iOS only.