A previous (very helpful) post directed me to this template: http://johnbraheny.com/resources/collab ... agreement/ Articles 3, 4 and 6 of this agreement have to do with the division of musical and lyrical contributions of the writers and seem to necessitate a "clear cut" division. My co-writer and I have instrumental cues (no lyrics) that we consider 50/50 in our musical contributions. How should articles 3, 4, and 6 read for our situation? Here they are from the site:3. ______________________ wrote all of the lyrics to the song(s); ___________________________ composed all the music to the song(s).
[NOTE: IF THE WRITERS HAVE MADE VARYING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSIC AND LYRIC, AND THERE IS NO PRECISE SPLIT IN RESPONSIBILITY FOR EACH, AN ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION IS OF VIRTUALLY NO USE.]
4. If the song(s) are not [signed to a publishing agreement/commercially recorded/commercially released] by _______________ we may each withdraw our respective creative contributions to any song(s) not meeting such requirement, and the other(s) shall have no remaining claim to income from any use then made by the creator thereof. [NOTE: AGAIN, THERE IS LITTLE PURPOSE TO THIS CLAUSE UNLESS THE DIVISION BETWEEN LYRICAL AND MUSICAL CONTRIBUTIONS IS CLEARCUT.]
6. [One of the writers] [All of us] Any of us with approval, etc. may authorize changes to the lyric or melody of the song(s) and may reduce the shares of all of us in equal proportion to compensate any new songwriter(s) adding such creative changes. [NOTE: IF THERE IS A DEFINITE DIVISION BETWEEN LYRICAL AND MUSICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AMONG THE ORIGINAL WRITERS, REDUCTIONS FOR CHANGES MAY BE APPROPRIATELY CATEGORIZED BY THE TYPE OF CHANGE AND ASSESSED AGAINST THAT WRITER.]
