A co-publishing agreement for songwriters is a common practice in the music industry. Essentially, it is an agreement between a songwriter and a music publisher where both parties share ownership and profits generated from the songwriter’s compositions.
Here’s how it works: The songwriter retains ownership of the copyright to their compositions but assigns a portion of the publishing rights to the publisher. In exchange, the publisher promotes and distributes the songwriter’s music, collects royalties, and shares the profits with the songwriter.
The typical split in a co-publishing agreement is 50/50, but it can vary depending on the negotiation between the songwriter and publisher. For example, a more established songwriter may be able to negotiate a higher percentage of the publishing rights.
There are several benefits to co-publishing for songwriters. First and foremost, it allows them to focus solely on their craft and leave the business side of things to the publisher. This can be a huge relief for songwriters who would rather spend their time creating music than dealing with contracts and royalties.
Another benefit is that a publisher can provide access to industry connections and opportunities that a songwriter may not have on their own. This can lead to more placements in film, TV, and commercials, which can generate significant income for the songwriter.
Overall, a co-publishing agreement is a win-win for both parties involved. The publisher gets access to quality music to promote and the songwriter can focus on creating while still earning revenue from their compositions. If you’re a songwriter looking to take your music career to the next level, consider exploring co-publishing opportunities with reputable music publishers.