What is a music publishing administration agreement?
Independent songwriters often leave money uncollected: mechanicals that were never claimed, performance income in countries they never registered in, and streams their songs earn that end up nowhere. A publishing administrator registers the songs, licenses and collects on the writer's behalf, and takes a percentage. Unlike a traditional publishing or co-publishing deal, the writer keeps ownership of the copyrights, and a good admin agreement says that in plain terms.
This template appoints an administrator for the songs on a schedule, and optionally future songs, in a territory you set. It lists the work the administrator does, leaves the writer's share of performance income paid directly by performing rights organisations outside the fee, and requires the writer's approval for synchronisation, advertising, political uses, changes to songs and settlements. The admin fee comes off gross receipts with sub-administrators paid from it, an optional advance is recoupable only from royalties, and statements, payments and an audit right follow. The term, a post-term collection period and a clean handover of registrations finish it.
- Best for
- Independent songwriters, self-releasing artists and writer-owned publishing companies
- Signed by
- The songwriter and the administrator
- Ownership
- Stays with the writer; the administrator acts as agent for the term
- Length
- About 3 pages, initialled on every page
When to use a music publishing administration agreement
- A self-releasing artist appointing an admin company to collect worldwide mechanicals
- A producer-writer with placements in several countries tidying up registrations
- An administrator offering a standard, writer-friendly contract to new clients
- A writer's own publishing company appointing an administrator for its catalogue
- A songwriter moving from one administrator to another at the end of a term
What you fill in
17 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: songwriter, administrator.
1 The parties
- Date of this agreement*
- Songwriter's legal name*
- Songwriter's own publishing company (optional)
- Songwriter address
- Administrator (company)*
- Administrator address
2 Catalogue
- Songs covered* the songs listed in the schedule, and all songs the Writer writes or acquires during the term · only the songs listed in the schedule
- Song schedule*
- Territory*
3 Money
- Administration fee (% of gross receipts)*
- Accounting currency*
- Advance (optional)
- Statements and payments* every quarter · every six months
- Paid within (days after each period ends)*
4 Term
- Term (years)*
- Post-term collection period (months)*
- Governing law*
5 Who signs
- Songwriter signature and date, initials on every page · The songwriter, or the person signing for the songwriter's own publishing company.
- Administrator signature and date, job title, initials on every page · The person signing for the administration company.
What the music publishing administration agreement covers
- Appointment
- Ownership stays with the Writer
- What the Administrator does
- Approvals
- Fee and payments
- Accounting and audit
- Term and ending
- Promises
- General
Using the music publishing administration agreement, step by step
1 Name the writer and the administrator
Enter the songwriter's legal name and, if their publishing share sits in their own company, that company too.
2 Define the catalogue
Choose whether only scheduled songs are covered or future songs as well, list the titles with the writer's share of each, and set the territory.
3 Set the fee and accounting
Enter the admin fee percentage, any advance, whether statements are quarterly or every six months and how quickly payment follows.
4 Agree the term and sign
Choose the term and the post-term collection period, set the governing law and send for signature. Both of you initial every page.
Tips before you send it
- Get your splits agreed with co-writers first. A signed split sheet makes accurate registration possible.
- Check which income streams your performing rights organisation pays you directly. The template keeps the writer's share outside the admin fee.
- Ask how the administrator handles countries where it uses sub-administrators. Under this template their fees come out of the admin fee, not on top.
- Keep your own list of titles, shares and identifiers. It makes moving to a new administrator much easier.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date and initials box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Music publishing administration agreement: frequently asked questions
Does a publishing administrator own my songs?
No. The template states that the writer keeps full ownership of the copyrights and that nothing is transferred or charged. The administrator only has limited rights for the term.
Can the administrator license my song for an ad?
Not without your written approval. Synchronisation, advertising, political uses, changes to the song and settlements all need your consent.
What happens to money earned during the term but paid later?
The administrator may keep collecting it for the post-term collection period you set, still taking only its fee, but it cannot issue new licences.
Do I have to repay the advance if the songs earn less?
No. The advance is recoupable only from your royalties under the agreement and is never repayable otherwise.