Song Publishing Split Sheet:How to complete split sheet
WRITER/COMPOSER:
The writer and/or composer name goes on this line.
ADDRESS:
The writer/composer’s address goes on this line.
Publishing Deal (publisher’s share)?
Circle yes or no if you have a publishing deal, list their name and address, and include the publishing percentage allocated to your publisher per your publishing deal.
Circle your PRO (publishing rights’ organization). BMI, SESAC, and ASCAP are societies responsible for collecting income on behalf of publishers. They track down cash for you when your music is played on television and AM/FM airwaves, internet radio services like Pandora, at a club, inside a restaurant, at a concert, or publicly broadcast in some other fashion. You have to register with your selected PRO. These stations pay fees to the PROs, who in turn pays their registered publishers, songwriters, producer, etc.
% Ownership (songwriter’s share):
Identify your percent ownership as it relates to the record for lyrics and music. There is a total of 100% for the overall record in which 50/50 is split amongst the writers of the lyrics and music (songwriter’s share) and the publishers (publisher’s share); consequently, each individual share is allocated as determined by the collaborators on the record for the songwriters and by the contractual agreement for the publishers. Writers of the lyrics and music will split the songwriter’s share and the publishers will split the publisher’s share.
If an artist is its own publisher, they will get both the writer’s share and publisher’s share. If they have a publishing deal, the publisher’s share will be split with artist and publisher accordingly.
How to determine “songwriter’s share” splits? (publisher’s share is usually identified via contractual agreement) The song-splits for the songwriter’s share are completely up to the writers, there is no rule.
Option 1: Go the easy route and give each contributor equal ownership.
Option 2: Give each writer a percentage equal to their contribution. You can evaluate each contribution by itslength and value to the overall song.
What is a publisher?
A publisher owns or administers copyrights in songs and licenses them to companies and other entities that use music, such as record labels, radio stations, filmmakers, and advertisers. The publisher then collects the license fee, keeps their cut, and pays the rest to the songwriters or their heirs. For the most part, songwriters should be receiving their songwriter’s share directly, while publisher receives the publishing income.
A good publisher has the contacts and experience allowing them to promote songs to the maximum number of licensees and negotiate good terms for their use. They will also stay on top of industry developments and actively seek out sources of income.
Proof of Digital Sales
Proof of sales or sales report must be made available to all parties as soon as they are available or at least every quarter of the year.
Note: Each songwriter and composer/producer gets a copy of the fully completed sheet
Song Title: __________________________________________________________________
Date: ______/_________/_______
______/________/________
______/_______/_________
(list the day song was produced and written, list each day if more than 1)
Recording Artist: _____________________________ Label: ________________________
Contributing artists: _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Studio Name: __________________________________________________________________
Studio Address: ________________________________________________________________
Studio Phone Number: (________) _________________________
Any Samples? YES / NO (circle one) Album & Artist Sampled: _______________________
Note: Each songwriter and composer/producer gets a copy of the fully completed sheet
WRITER/COMPOSER #1: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Phone: (_________) _______________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Publishing %: ________________ Digital Sales %: ________________
Affiliation: ASCAP BMI SESAC (circle one) / Other _____________________________
Ownership%: Lyrics: _____________ Music: _____________ (List % ownership)
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Birth date: _____/_______/_______ SSN/EIN: __________ – ________ – __________
Note: Each songwriter and composer/producer gets a copy of the fully completed sheet
WRITER/COMPOSER #2: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Phone: (_________) _______________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Publishing %: ________________ Digital Sales %: ________________
Affiliation: ASCAP BMI SESAC (circle one) / Other _____________________________
Ownership%: Lyrics: _____________ Music: _____________ (List % ownership)
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Birth date: _____/_______/_______ SSN/EIN: __________ – ________ – __________
Note: Each songwriter and composer/producer gets a copy of the fully completed sheet
WRITER/COMPOSER #3: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Phone: (_________) _______________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Publishing %: ________________ Digital Sales %: ________________
Affiliation: ASCAP BMI SESAC (circle one) / Other _____________________________
Ownership%: Lyrics: _____________ Music: _____________ (List % ownership)
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Birth date: _____/_______/_______ SSN/EIN: __________ – ________ – __________
Note: Each songwriter and composer/producer gets a copy of the fully completed sheet
WRITER/COMPOSER #4: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Phone: (_________) _______________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Publishing %: ________________ Digital Sales %: ________________
Affiliation: ASCAP BMI SESAC (circle one) / Other _____________________________
Ownership%: Lyrics: _____________ Music: _____________ (List % ownership)
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Birth date: _____/_______/_______ SSN/EIN: __________ – ________ – __________
Note: Each songwriter and composer/producer gets a copy of the fully completed sheet
WRITER/COMPOSER #5: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Phone: (_________) _______________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Publishing %: ________________ Digital Sales %: ________________
Affiliation: ASCAP BMI SESAC (circle one) / Other _____________________________
Ownership%: Lyrics: _____________ Music: _____________ (List % ownership)
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Birth date: _____/_______/_______ SSN/EIN: __________ – ________ – __________
Note: Each songwriter and composer/producer gets a copy of the fully completed sheet
WRITER/COMPOSER #6:___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Phone: (_________) _______________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Publishing %: ________________ Digital Sales %: ________________
Affiliation: ASCAP BMI SESAC (circle one) / Other _____________________________
Ownership%: Lyrics: _____________ Music: _____________ (List % ownership)
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Birth date: _____/_______/_______ SSN/EIN: __________ – ________ – __________
Note: Each songwriter and composer/producer gets a copy of the fully completed sheet
WRITER/COMPOSER #7: ___________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Phone: (_________) _______________________________
Publishing Deal? YES NO (If yes, list publishing company, address and contact information)
_______________________________________________
Publishing %: ________________ Digital Sales %: ________________
Affiliation: ASCAP BMI SESAC (circle one) / Other _____________________________
Ownership%: Lyrics: _____________ Music: _____________ (List % ownership)
Signature: ___________________________________________________
Birth date: _____/_______/_______ SSN/EIN: __________ – ________ – __________
To download the split sheet for personal use , use the links below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bdM2BqHmyHs7N81KsFPeImCXyrGVe34m/view?usp=drivesdk
Great information! A split sheet is necessary for all songs especially collaborations