Co-writing agreement question

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mazz
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Co-writing agreement question

Post by mazz » Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:22 am

Was wondering how folks handle co-writing agreements for multiple songs over an extended period of time.The agreement I have currently is really for one song at a time and I was hoping to be able to sign a co-writing agreement once and then do something like a "Schedule A" that gets amended every time a song is added so a new agreement doesn't have to be signed every time. Publishers do this all the time but I was wondering if anyone who does a lot of collabs with one person uses this format?Thanks,Mazz
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Re: Co-writing agreement question

Post by Casey H » Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:23 am

Nov 1, 2009, 11:22am, mazz wrote:Was wondering how folks handle co-writing agreements for multiple songs over an extended period of time.The agreement I have currently is really for one song at a time and I was hoping to be able to sign a co-writing agreement once and then do something like a "Schedule A" that gets amended every time a song is added so a new agreement doesn't have to be signed every time. Publishers do this all the time but I was wondering if anyone who does a lot of collabs with one person uses this format?Thanks,MazzI don't see why you couldn't do this. Just make sure the agreement references Schedule A and says something that songs added to the schedule automatically fall under the agreement. When new songs are added, you COULD have both of you initial new new schedule to be safe. *Personally* I think doing that by fax or email pdf is fine. Some are sticklers for snail-mailing originals to be absolutely 100% legal but many people are fine with faxes. Many deals I've signed have only been with faxes. Casey

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Re: Co-writing agreement question

Post by deantaylor » Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:06 pm

Hey Mazz,I've done this with some of my co-writers, if we do a lot of songs together. Dean

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Re: Co-writing agreement question

Post by mazz » Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:20 pm

Cool, thanks for the replies! I'll go that route, it makes sense.Cheers!Mazz
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imagine if John Williams and Trent Reznor met at Bernard Hermann's for lunch and Brian Eno was the head chef!
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Re: Co-writing agreement question

Post by suzdoyle » Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:02 pm

Nov 1, 2009, 11:22am, mazz wrote:Was wondering how folks handle co-writing agreements for multiple songs over an extended period of time.The agreement I have currently is really for one song at a time and I was hoping to be able to sign a co-writing agreement once and then do something like a "Schedule A" that gets amended every time a song is added so a new agreement doesn't have to be signed every time. Publishers do this all the time but I was wondering if anyone who does a lot of collabs with one person uses this format?Thanks,MazzHey Mazz, I haved this kind of contract for my Ringtone Theatre cast members and collaborators. I'll email a copy to you . . . Suz

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Re: Co-writing agreement question

Post by mazz » Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:09 pm

Nov 2, 2009, 7:02pm, suzdoyle wrote:Nov 1, 2009, 11:22am, mazz wrote:Was wondering how folks handle co-writing agreements for multiple songs over an extended period of time.The agreement I have currently is really for one song at a time and I was hoping to be able to sign a co-writing agreement once and then do something like a "Schedule A" that gets amended every time a song is added so a new agreement doesn't have to be signed every time. Publishers do this all the time but I was wondering if anyone who does a lot of collabs with one person uses this format?Thanks,MazzHey Mazz, I haved this kind of contract for my Ringtone Theatre cast members and collaborators. I'll email a copy to you . . . SuzAs I said before: YOU ROCK!!
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imagine if John Williams and Trent Reznor met at Bernard Hermann's for lunch and Brian Eno was the head chef!
http://www.johnmazzei.com
http://www.taxi.com/johnmazzei

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Re: Co-writing agreement question

Post by suzdoyle » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:41 am

(and sometimes I roll . . . ) ,suz

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Re: Co-writing agreement question

Post by steveyeager » Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:33 am

After reading this...i'm wondering about percentages in co writes? Seems to me 50/50 is a fair split (for publishing etc..)

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Re: Co-writing agreement question

Post by Pinkstar » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:09 am

Interesting, so far I haven't written out an agreement with my collaborators, we just have a verbal agreement, doing an equal split. I'd love to get a copy of that agreement though, especially when I collaborate with people I don't know to well. It makes sense.

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Re: Co-writing agreement question

Post by greatmoves » Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:22 pm

Hey all, Anyone doing a co-write had better get an agreement in writing. (Really jvbod69). I think most writers that fail to get it on paper think it will make people feel there's less trust and thus avoid treating each other as business partners, but the fact is that it will save a friendship... keep the band together.... further more, Having things in writing will insure all contributions will be actual and not based on memory. Once there is a hint of success, you'll be glad that everything is on paper.I haven't did a co-write, I am still looking forward to my first, but it won't be in the blind. Songwriting is a business first... we make friends along the way.Good luck,BB
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