Music Glossary: contracts

Upfront payment recouped from your royalties before you receive net income. Understand cross-collateralization. more

Traditional, 360, license, distribution-only, JV. Each differs in ownership, term, and revenue share. more

Promises that work is original/cleared and that you’ll cover losses if that proves false. Know the risk. more

Includes term, territory, commission %, commissionable income, sunset clause, and termination rights. more

Clause ensuring your fee/terms match the best given to another similar party in the same deal. more

Protects confidential materials (demos, stems, contracts). Set duration and permitted uses. more

Label/publisher right to extend the deal for more releases/years. Track timelines and deliverables carefully. more

Sets fee, points (producer royalty), recoupables, deliverables, credit, and approval rights on the master. more

Conditions when rights revert (term expiry, out-of-print, statutory reversion). Track dates and notices. more

Defines commission, exclusivity, term, and approval over licensing. Clarify floor rates and MFN application. more

Contract where the commissioning party owns the result. Clarify credit, buyout, reuse, and moral rights. more