Co-Publishing Agreements by Fran Perdomo

The Co-publishing agreement is a contract that enables writers or composers to assign a portion of their rights to specific works to another party. A record label or any other individual or company that will publish the work could be considered the other party. The ownership percentages may vary, but most will give the artist the majority of the ownership. These contracts frequently provide artists with a much larger share of royalties received on their work than they would receive under other contracts.

When creating the documents, the details matter because they determine payment amounts and frequency, usage of the work, and the duration of the partnership. A Co-Publishing Agreement Lawyer can assist their clients in sorting out the details so that they get the best deal possible.

Details Included in these Agreements

  • Coverage

  • Duration

  • Volume

  • Payment

  • Administration


Co-publishing rights generally allow both parties to the agreement to sell the work to a third party without the other person's permission. Regardless of who initiated the deal, any use of the work will benefit both parties.

The contract must specify how publishing rights will be maintained after the contract term expires. In general, regardless of how long the contract has been in effect, the ownership split for work created under it will remain the same. Unless otherwise agreed upon in the contract, the work produced by the partnership remains the intellectual property of all parties involved.

Before signing, a Co-Publishing Agreement Law Firm can ensure that any contract meets the needs of the artist. The attorney will ensure that the document allows creators to retain as much control over their work as they desire while also financially rewarding them for their efforts. For consultation contact, Perdomo Law.