Music publishing agreements series; (part 3) the questions to ask

When a writer is contemplating concluding a publishing agreement, he will want to know the answers to the following questions. Let us try to list them:

1. Why do I need a publisher?

2. When should I conclude the agreement?

3. How long will I be tied to the publisher for?

4. How many songs will I be obliged to write?

5. Will it be a world-wide agreement?

6. What advances will I be paid?

7. How are royalties paid and calculated?

8. When will I receive my royalties?

9. Who will own my songs?

10. Can I get my songs back if they are not exploited?

11. If I am a member of a group, will any special provisions apply?

12. What are the implications of “sampling” and/or copying?

13. Can I prevent my songs being exploited in certain ways?

14. What should I do once the agreement has been signed?

This series will hopefully answer all these questions to at least an intermediate level. Of course, all publishing agreements are different, and any particular agreement may raise individual questions that might not be answered in this series. Above all, the composer/publisher relationship is a highly personal one. If you are intending to enter the world of music creation and songwriting, it is up to you to make sure that you personally understand and are satisfied with any publishing agreement that is offered to you, before you agree to its terms, and also that you feel you could have a good business relationship with the chosen publisher.