Home/MusicMusic

Protect your music, your rights, and your career

Professional music contracts for artists, producers, labels, managers, and the people who work with them. We've got you covered whether you're signing a deal, booking a show, or protecting your publishing rights.

Every contract has been drafted and reviewed by a Harvard Law entertainment attorney.

Find the right contract

Band / Group Partnership Agreement

Name ownership, income splits, voting rules, and what happens if someone leaves.

Artist Management Agreement

Bring on a manager — commissions, authority, sunset clauses, and termination rights.

Appearance Agreement

Book an artist for a one-time appearance — meet & greets, promotional events, charity galas, and speaking engagements.

Musician & Group Endorsement Agreement

For musicians partnering with a brand — campaigns, sponsorships, festival activations, and gear or signature-product deals. Covers endorsement rights, deliverables, exclusivity, and compensation.

Tour Manager Agreement

Hire a tour manager — per-diem, travel logistics, settlement duties, and tour accounting.

Social Media Manager Agreement

Hire someone to manage your social media accounts — posting schedules, content calendars, analytics, and account access.

Stylist Agreement

Hire a wardrobe stylist, hair stylist, or makeup artist — rate, kit fee, credit, and cancellation terms.

Record Label Agreement

Sign with a label, advances, royalties, master ownership, and option periods.

Music Publishing Agreement

Partner with a publisher — advances, delivery commitments, sync approval, and income splits.

Music Distribution Agreement

Get music on Spotify, Apple Music, and more — distribution fees, catalog rights, and accounting.

Recording Studio Booking Agreement

Rent a recording studio by the hour or day — rates, deposit, cancellation, master ownership of the session output, gear damage, and engineer responsibilities.

Music Producer Agreement

Hire a producer — fees, royalty points, publishing splits, credit, and master ownership.

Beat License Agreement

Buy or license a pre-made beat — exclusive or non-exclusive rights, usage limits, and streaming caps.

Sync License Agreement

License a song for film, TV, commercials, or video games — sync fee, territory, and usage terms.

Featured Artist Agreement

Bring on a featured artist — credit, royalties, publishing splits, and label clearance.

Cover Song License Agreement

Release a cover recording of an existing song. Statutory or negotiated royalty rate, accounting and audit, advance, and format restrictions.

Songwriter Split Sheet

Document who wrote what percentage of a song — splits, PRO info, and publisher details.

Hired Services Agreement

Hire a photographer, videographer, designer, or other creative professional for cover art, music videos, press shots, websites, or merchandise design.

Artist Booking Agreement

Book a concert, club gig, festival set, or private show — guarantee, door deal, or backend split. Covers rider, merch, hospitality, and cancellation.

Venue & Facility Rental Agreement

Rent a rehearsal space, recording studio, or concert venue — access times, equipment, insurance, and deposits.

Concert Promoter Agreement

Hire a promoter to market and produce a live show — guarantees, backend splits, ticket pricing, and settlement.

Merchandise Licensing Agreement

License your band or artist name and logo to a merch vendor that designs, produces, and sells tour merch and branded goods — royalty splits, product approval, and quality standards.

Merchandise Manufacturing Agreement

Produce a tour merch run, album release drop, or band-branded apparel — pricing, minimums, sample approval, and licensed-IP warranties for band logos and artwork. You'll own and sell the goods.

Event Participation Waiver

Songwriting camps, producer workshops, fan meet-and-greets, and music camps — assumption of risk, media release, and minor consent in one waiver.

Non-Disclosure Agreement

Keep unreleased tracks, deal terms, and business plans confidential.

LLC Operating Agreement

Form a business entity — ownership percentages, profit splits, and governance.

How to choose the right music contract

Not sure where to start? Find the situation that fits your deal, then open the contract type that may be relevant.

Common Deal Situations

Find the situation that matches your deal and go straight to the contract that fits.

Key Terms To Understand

Master recording: A specific recorded version of a song. Whoever owns the master controls how that recording is used and earns from it.
Composition: The underlying song itself, the melody and lyrics, separate from any one recording of it.
Publishing: The business of managing and earning from compositions, including royalties when songs are performed, streamed, or licensed.
Royalty: A share of income paid to a rights holder each time a work is sold, streamed, performed, or licensed.
Advance: Money paid up front that is later paid back out of future royalties before the artist starts collecting them.
Recoupment: The process of a company earning back money it advanced before it pays the artist a share of profits.
Commission: A percentage of income a manager or agent keeps as payment for their work.
Sunset clause: A term that gradually reduces and ends a manager's commission on older deals after the management relationship ends.
Work made for hire: An arrangement where the person paying owns the work from the start, rather than the creator.
Term: How long the agreement lasts.
Territory: The geographic area the agreement covers.
Exclusivity: A promise to work only with one party, or not with certain competitors, during the term.
Approval rights: The right to review and sign off on decisions, such as releases, edits, or licensing, before they happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What music contract do I need before releasing a song?

It comes down to who was involved. When more than one person wrote the song, a Songwriter Split Sheet records each writer's share. When a producer or featured artist took part, a Music Producer Agreement or Featured Artist Agreement sets out credit, royalties, and ownership. Put these in writing before release to keep ownership clear.

Is a songwriter split sheet the same as a producer agreement?

No. A Songwriter Split Sheet records who wrote the composition and what percentage each writer owns. A Music Producer Agreement covers the producer's fee, royalty points, credit, and rights in the recording. Most projects use both.

When should an artist use an artist management agreement?

Use an Artist Management Agreement when an artist brings on someone to guide their career and handle business opportunities. It sets the commission, the income it applies to, how long it lasts, and how either side can end it.

What is the difference between a master recording and a composition?

The composition is the song itself, the melody and lyrics. The master is a specific recorded version of that song. Different people can own each one, and each earns money separately.

Do I need a sync license to use music in a video?

Yes. Pairing someone else's music with visual content requires a Sync License Agreement, which grants permission and sets the fee, territory, and approved uses. Using music without permission leads to claims or takedowns.

What are common warning signs in music agreements?

These are common issues to watch for in any music agreement:

Ownership of recordings or compositions is left unclear
Payment terms with no amount, schedule, or method
Broad exclusivity that blocks other work
No way for either side to end the deal
Rights that last forever with no clear explanation
Vague royalty or commission language
No approval step for releases, edits, or licensing

Browse the Contracts

Other Industries

Film & Television

Social Media & Influencers

Live Events & Touring

Sports & Athletics

Fashion & Modeling