Collaboration Agreement

For two or more creators or businesses teaming up on a joint project — covers revenue splits, content ownership, each person's responsibilities, and what happens if someone wants out.

Drafted by a Harvard Law entertainment attorney.

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Is this the right contract for your collaboration?

This contract is built for two or more creators working together on content or a project. It fits collaborations where the group wants clear rules for who does what, who owns the work, how income and expenses are split, and what happens if a collaborator leaves.

Good fit for

  • Creators teaming up on content or a project
  • Co-hosts or creator groups sharing income
  • Collaborations that split expenses
  • Groups that want clear ownership of the work
  • Partnerships that want an exit process if someone leaves

You may also need

Before you start

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

  • Each collaborator's name
  • A description of the project
  • Each person's role and tasks
  • How revenue is split
  • How expenses are shared
  • Who owns the finished work
  • How credit and tagging are handled
  • What happens if a collaborator leaves

What's Inside This Contract

Project description and scope

Defines the collaboration project and how the parties work together.

Term

States how long the collaboration lasts and how it can be renewed.

Roles and responsibilities

Sets each party's contributions and how decisions and deadlocks are handled.

Revenue sharing

Explains how income is split, accounted for, and paid out.

Expenses

Covers how project costs are shared and approved.

Intellectual property and content ownership

Sets who owns the work created and how pre-existing material is treated.

Exclusivity

States whether the parties limit competing collaborations during the term.

Termination

How the collaboration can end and what happens to the work afterward.

Representations and warranties

Each party's promises about authority, original work, and indemnification.

Disputes and general provisions

Covers standard terms such as notices, how disputes are handled, and signatures.

Points Worth Negotiating

  • Who does what on the project
  • How revenue and expenses are split
  • Who owns the finished content
  • How each creator is credited and tagged
  • What happens if one creator wants to leave

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a creator collaboration agreement?
It is an agreement among creators working together that sets out each person's role, who owns the content, and how any income and expenses are split.
Who should sign a creator collaboration agreement?
Every collaborator signs. If a collaborator works through a company, the company signs, and a guardian signs for any collaborator who is a minor.
How is revenue split?
The creators negotiate it. Splits are equal or based on each creator's role and contribution, and the agreement records the percentages and what income they apply to.
Who owns the content we make together?
Whatever the creators agree. The agreement states whether the content is owned jointly or by one party, and how each can use it later.
What happens if one collaborator leaves?
A clear exit section covers who keeps the content, how future income is handled, and whether the work can still be used.
What should I have ready before creating it?
Have each collaborator's name, a project description, each person's role, the revenue and expense splits, who owns the work, how credit is handled, and what happens if someone leaves.
Should I choose the custom contract or the editable template?
Choose the custom contract to answer a few questions and have it filled in for you. Choose the editable template if you prefer a blank version with labeled fields to complete yourself.
What are common warning signs in a creator collaboration agreement?

These are common issues to watch for in any creator collaboration agreement:

  • No clear revenue split
  • Unclear ownership of the content
  • No process if a collaborator drops out
  • Vague roles or deliverables
  • No agreement on credit or tagging