SUR & SAUDASplit sheet: who owns the song
This is a template for recording what writers have agreed. It isn't legal advice. For significant deals, have a lawyer review your agreements.
How to use it
- Fill in one sheet per song.
- Agree the shares with everyone in the room. Shares for the song must add up to 100%.
- Everyone signs and dates it, and keeps a copy.
- Register the song with IPRS using exactly these shares. See the IPRS checklist.
1. The song
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Song title | |
| Alternative titles or working title | |
| Date written | |
| Place written | |
| Language(s) | |
| Samples or interpolations used (and whether cleared) |
2. The writers (the song: lyrics and composition)
Roles: L = lyrics, C = composition (melody and music). A writer can have both.
| Writer's legal name | Professional name | Role (L / C / both) | IPRS member no. | Publisher (if any) | Share of song (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 100% |
3. The recording (the master)
Who owns the recording of this song, and in what shares? This is separate from the song itself.
| Owner (person or company) | Share of recording (%) | Notes (e.g. who paid for the session) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 100% |
4. Other agreements
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who releases the recording, and through which distributor? | |
| Producer fee or producer share of recording income? | |
| Featured artist fee or share? | |
| How will credits appear on streaming platforms? | |
| Anything else agreed? |
5. Signatures
By signing, each writer confirms the shares above are what was agreed.
| Name | Signature | Date | Phone or email |
|---|---|---|---|
Common questions when filling it in
- Equal or by contribution? Either is fine. Equal splits between everyone in the room are simple and avoid arguments. Splitting by contribution (for example lyrics 50%, composition 50%) is also common.
- Use legal names and the same professional names you use on IPRS and your distributor, so royalties match.
- Samples need clearance from both the song's owners and the recording's owners before release.
Questions people ask
When should we fill in a split sheet?
Ideally at the end of the writing session, while everyone remembers who did what. At the latest, before the song is released or registered.
Is a split sheet a legal contract?
It's a signed written record of what the writers agreed, which is valuable evidence. It isn't a full agreement covering every situation, so for larger projects or money involved, have a lawyer draft a proper agreement.
Do producers get a share of the song?
Only if they contributed to the composition or lyrics and the writers agree. A producer who made the beat or wrote musical parts often takes a composition share. A producer who only recorded and mixed usually takes a fee or a share of the recording income instead.