V. Business & Contracts
1. Split Sheets
The “Prenuptial Agreement” of Music
A Split Sheet is a simple document that identifies who wrote what percentage of a song.
Definition: A written agreement between co-writers that specifies each person’s ownership percentage of the Composition.
When to use them: At the end of every writing session. Do not wait. Memories fade, and success makes people greedy.
Common Mistakes: Forgetting to include IPI numbers (your unique ID from your PRO).
- Not specifying if the split includes the Master (recording) or just the Publishing.
- Leaving “verbal” agreements—courts rarely recognize “we agreed 50/50 over a beer.”
Resources: