Paperwork Neded

[Chris1]

Hi Everyone,

just wondered if an experienced Taxi person could help me with this one? I work in a 50/50 partnership with another artist and I pitch our songs in my name and front the whole thing but we go half each on everything. I have just got my first forward and was wondering if I need to draw up some form of agreement for the record company if, heaven forbid, I get a deal. I know it would not be a work for hire agreement as we both have equal status on everything so neither of us is hiring the other but should there be something in place for the people that potentially are hiring us? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[hummingbird]

Sounds like you need a co-writing agreement. You would then share the writer's portion of performance royalties, and split any licence fees.

[Chris1]

Thank you for responding, i'll get that drawn up. I'm assuming that a written agreement between ourselves that we both sign would be enough without the need for wordy, technical and fancy forms

[melodymessiah]

found this site: http://www.licensequote.com/blog/index. ... heet-form/

[hummingbird]

found this site: http://www.licensequote.com/blog/index. ... heet-form/

I am NOT a lawyer but I would advise against using the above form. I would worry that it doesn't cover different situations and it also asks the songwriters to assign publishing.

IMO you'd be better off using something designed by John Braheny for the use of songwriters
http://johnbraheny.com/resources/collab ... agreement/

Then, assuming a publisher or library wishes to represent or sign the song, your collaboration agreement will not conflict with their wish to take their percentage of the publishing and/or licencing.

JMHO.

[Chris1]

Thanks to both of you for your efforts in sending me paperwork. I think I do like the relative simplicity of the latter one so I think I'll use that if ever the opportunity arises. But once again thanks to the pair of you for taking the time out to help.

[mojobone]

For the record, I'm with Hummingbird, on this.