Music Glossary: deals

Upfront payment against future royalties. Recoupable per contract terms; no additional royalties are paid until recoupment is met. more

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

Legally binding agreement covering rights, term, territory, deliverables, advances, and recoupment. Always seek qualified legal advice. 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

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

Payment to rights-holders for uses of a work/recording. Includes mechanical, performance, streaming, sync, and neighbour/neighboring rights. 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