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Joint Recording / Master Ownership Agreement

For two collaborators jointly owning a recording and agreeing on release decisions, costs, licensing, and income.

Guest contribution rather than shared master ownership? See the Featured Artist Agreement. Agreeing songwriting shares instead? See the Songwriter Split Sheet.

Drafted by a Harvard Law entertainment attorney.

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Sharing a master recording, not just a song?

Use this for two adult parties jointly owning a recording. A songwriter split sheet covers the composition, while featured-artist and session-musician agreements cover different performance relationships.

Good fit for

Two collaborators co-owning specified masters
Jointly financed independent releases
Parties agreeing release approval and revenue accounting

You may also need

Songwriter Split Sheet - for composition ownership
Session Musician Agreement - for a hired recording musician
Featured Artist Agreement - for a host-and-featured-artist arrangement

What's Inside This Contract

Recordings and contributions

Identifies the masters, delivery responsibilities, credits, and separate contributor permissions.

Ownership and reserved rights

Shares master rights while preserving songwriting, publishing, and third-party rights.

Release and administration

Requires joint approval of releases, licensing, distributor changes and takedowns.

Revenue and withdrawal

Recoups approved costs before sharing receipts and preserves ownership and accounting after collaboration stops.

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Before you start

It helps to have these details on hand before you create your contract:

Track titles and versions
Each party's contributions and file delivery
Master shares totaling 100%
Sample and contributor clearances
Release plan, administrator, and approved advances

Points Worth Negotiating

Master ownership percentages
Who advances costs and which costs are recoupable
Distributor and account access
Licensing and release approvals
Handling a buyout or disagreement

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this set songwriter or publishing shares?

No. It shares ownership and income from the specified sound recordings. Songwriting shares require a separate agreement.

Can one owner release or license the recording alone?

No. Both owners must approve the final masters, releases, distributor, licenses, and takedowns in writing.

How are recording costs repaid?

Documented approved advances are recouped proportionately from project receipts before remaining income is divided by ownership. There is no personal repayment guarantee from the other owner.

Does this clear samples or session performances?

No. Each party must obtain permissions for contributors and material it supplies. Third-party rights and union obligations need separate clearance.

What are common warning signs in a joint recording / master ownership agreement?

These are common issues to watch for in any joint recording / master ownership agreement:

Master shares are treated as songwriting shares
One owner controls distribution without accounting
Samples or guest performances lack permission
Costs can be added without approval

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