TPS Empire Records' official agreements, published in full at the direction of founder & CEO TpsEastsidewill.
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AGREEMENT 1 — ARTIST RECORDING AGREEMENT 2027
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TPS EMPIRE RECORDS
ARTIST RECORDING AGREEMENT — 2027
DRAFT TEMPLATE — NOT FINAL. Have a lawyer review before anyone signs.
Parties and Effective Date
This Artist Recording Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of the Effective Date written below (the "Effective Date"), by and between TPS Empire Records (the "Label") and the artist named below (the "Artist").
Artist legal name: __________________________________________________
Artist stage name: __________________________________________________
Artist address / email / phone: __________________________________________________
Label address / email / phone: __________________________________________________
Effective Date: __________________________________________________
1. Engagement and Term
The Label engages the Artist as a recording artist, and the Artist accepts the engagement, for a term of ______ year(s) beginning on the Effective Date (the "Term"). The Label may extend the Term for ______ additional one-year period(s) by giving the Artist written notice at least 30 days before the Term ends.
2. Recordings
During the Term, the Artist will deliver ______ commercially releasable master recordings (the "Masters") to the Label, recorded at Label-approved studios on a schedule the Parties agree in writing. Delivery of each Master means the final mixed master file plus stems/trackouts and session files where available. The Label is not obligated to release any Master.
3. Ownership of Masters
The Artist irrevocably assigns to the Label all right, title, and interest in and to the Masters, including the sound-recording copyrights, worldwide, for the full term of copyright including renewals and extensions. The Label may register, license, distribute, and otherwise exploit the Masters in any media now known or later developed.
4. Compositions and Publishing
For each Master, the writers, producers, and their ownership splits in the underlying musical composition will be documented on a split sheet signed by all contributors (Schedule A). Publishing income is divided according to those splits unless the Parties sign a separate publishing agreement.
5. Royalties and Compensation
The Artist will receive ______% of Net Receipts from the Label's exploitation of the Masters. "Net Receipts" means gross receipts actually received by the Label, less: (a) recording, mixing, and mastering costs; (b) distribution and platform fees; (c) any advances paid to the Artist; and (d) third-party payments (featured artists, sample clearances). The Label will account to the Artist semi-annually, within 90 days after each June 30 and December 31.
Fill in the royalty percentage and any advance before signing. If no advance is paid, write "None."
6. Label Services
During the Term, and subject to availability and the Label's prior written approval for each project, the Label plans to provide the Artist:
Free studio time for recording Label-approved projects;
Promotion on the TPS Empire Records pages and the Artist's promotional pages;
Album-cover artwork for qualifying Label projects;
Music-video promotional photos;
Distribution assistance to release music across digital streaming platforms;
Artist branding and online-visibility support, including artist profiles and search presence;
Management support and assistance with booking shows;
Press and media promotion;
Collaboration opportunities with other Milwaukee artists and producers;
Access to Eastsidewill Exclusive Beatz, subject to a separate signed beat agreement.
These services are provided at the Label's discretion per project. This section does not guarantee any specific result, placement, or income.
7. Beats by TpsEastsidewill
Any beat produced by TpsEastsidewill that the Artist records over requires a signed TPS Empire Records beat agreement BEFORE the recording is released or distributed. Every commercial release using one of his beats must credit the producer as "prod by Eastsidewill."
8. Artist Commitments
The Artist will not release, or authorize the release of, competing recordings during the Term without the Label's prior written consent;
The Artist will deliver Masters on the agreed schedule and cooperate with promotion, including photos, interviews, and videos reasonably requested by the Label;
The Artist will keep the Label informed of any claim, dispute, or conflicting agreement affecting the Masters.
9. Representations
Each Party represents that: (a) it has full authority to enter into and perform this Agreement; (b) the Masters and the Artist's contributions are original or properly licensed, with all samples, features, and co-producers disclosed in Schedule A; (c) nothing in this Agreement conflicts with any other agreement binding the Artist.
10. Notices
Formal notices must be in writing and sent to the addresses listed above, by email with confirmation of receipt, nationally recognized courier, or certified mail.
11. General Terms
This Agreement, with its signed schedules, is the entire agreement on its subject and replaces prior discussions about it. Changes must be in writing and signed by both Parties. If any provision is unenforceable, the rest continue in effect. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of ______________, with exclusive venue in ______________ County. It may be signed in counterparts, including electronic signatures.
Signatures
By signing below, each Party confirms it has read this Agreement, understands its effect, and has had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice.
ARTIST
Signature: __________________________________________________
Printed name: __________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________
LABEL (TPS Empire Records)
Signature: __________________________________________________
Printed name: __________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________
Schedule A — Masters, Splits, and Royalties
List each Master, its writers/producers and splits, and the agreed royalty terms. Both Parties initial each page added.
Master title(s): _____________________________________________
Writer / producer splits: ________________________________________
Royalty % / advance: _____________________________________________
Artist initials: _______ Label initials: _______ Date: __________
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AGREEMENT 2 — SOUND RECORDING COPYRIGHT ASSIGNMENT (MASTERS)
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Sound Recording Copyright Assignment
A written transfer of the master recording rights listed in Schedule A
LABEL
Tps Empire Records
ARTIST
______________________________________________
EFFECTIVE DATE
________________________________________________
AGREEMENT ID / REFERENCE
________________________________________________
IMPORTANT SCOPE NOTE. This agreement transfers only the copyrights and related rights in the sound recordings identified in Schedule A. It does not transfer the underlying song compositions, publishing rights, or any recording not listed in Schedule A unless the parties sign a separate written agreement.
Parties and effective date
This Sound Recording Copyright Assignment Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of the Effective Date written above by and between:
ASSIGNOR / ARTIST
______________________________________________, with an address at ________________________________________________
ASSIGNEE / LABEL
Tps Empire Records, a __________________________ [entity type], with an address at ________________________________________________
The Artist and the Label may each be called a "Party" and together the "Parties."
1. Assigned masters
"Assigned Masters" means only the final sound recordings specifically identified in Schedule A, including each identified mix, edit, version, and delivered master file. Schedule A must be completed with enough detail to identify each recording.
2. Assignment of sound-recording copyrights
For the consideration stated in Section 3, the Artist irrevocably assigns, transfers, and conveys to the Label all of the Artist's right, title, and interest in and to the Assigned Masters, including the copyrights in the sound recordings, the right to register and record the transfer of those copyrights, and all claims and proceeds arising from infringement occurring on or after the Effective Date.
The transfer is worldwide and lasts for the full term of copyright, including renewals and extensions. To the extent an Assigned Master does not qualify as a work made for hire, this written assignment controls.
3. Consideration
In exchange for this assignment, the Label will provide the following consideration. The Parties must complete this section before signing:
OPTION 1
One-time payment: $____________________ due ________________________________
OPTION 2
Royalty or participation under a separate written agreement dated ________________________________
OPTION 3
Other consideration: __________________________________________________________________________________
If more than one option applies, the Parties should initial each applicable option: Artist ______ Label ______.
4. Label ownership and use
Subject to any payment or royalty terms written in Section 3 or a separate agreement identified there, the Label may reproduce, distribute, sell, license, publicly perform, transmit, synchronize, advertise, edit, remaster, reformat, monetize, and otherwise exploit the Assigned Masters in any media now known or later developed.
The Label will own the sound-recording copyright notices and may identify itself as the owner of the Assigned Masters. Nothing in this Agreement requires the Label to release or exploit an Assigned Master.
5. Rights not transferred
The Artist keeps all rights not expressly assigned by this Agreement. In particular, this Agreement does not transfer ownership of the underlying musical compositions, lyrics, publishing rights, the Artist's stage name, trademarks, or unrelated recordings. Any use of those rights must be authorized separately.
6. Artist representations
The Artist represents and warrants that: (a) the Artist owns the interest being assigned and has authority to transfer it; (b) the Artist has not previously transferred or encumbered that interest; (c) the Artist's contributions are original or properly licensed; (d) all featured performers, producers, samples, beats, and other third-party material are disclosed in Schedule A; and (e) to the Artist's knowledge, exploitation of the Assigned Masters as authorized here will not infringe another person's rights.
The Artist will promptly give the Label copies of relevant licenses, releases, split sheets, and producer or featured-artist agreements. Any exceptions to these promises must be written in Schedule A or an attached exhibit signed by both Parties.
7. Further documents and delivery
The Artist will deliver the final master files and reasonably available session information identified in Schedule A. Each Party will sign reasonable additional documents necessary to confirm or record the transfer stated in this Agreement, provided those documents do not materially expand the transfer.
8. Responsibility for third-party claims
Each Party is responsible for losses, claims, and reasonable legal costs caused by that Party's material breach of this Agreement, subject to applicable law. A Party seeking protection under this section must promptly notify the other Party and reasonably cooperate in the defense or resolution of the claim.
9. Notices
Formal notices under this Agreement must be in writing and delivered personally, by nationally recognized courier, by certified mail, or by email with confirmation of receipt to the addresses below, as later updated by written notice.
ARTIST NOTICE ADDRESS
________________________________________________
ARTIST EMAIL
________________________________________________
LABEL NOTICE ADDRESS
________________________________________________
LABEL EMAIL
________________________________________________
10. General terms
This Agreement and its signed schedules and attachments are the entire agreement concerning the assigned rights and replace prior discussions on that subject. Any amendment or waiver must be in writing and signed by both Parties. Neither Party may rely on an oral change.
This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of ________________________________, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. The Parties consent to exclusive venue in ________________________________ County, ________________________________.
If any provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect. Section headings are for convenience only. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts and by electronic signature, each of which will be treated as an original.
Signatures
By signing below, each Party confirms that it has read this Agreement, understands its effect, and has had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice.
ARTIST / ASSIGNOR
SIGNATURE
________________________________________________
DATE
________________________________________________
LEGAL NAME / STAGE NAME
______________________________________________
PRINTED NAME
________________________________________________
TITLE (IF SIGNING FOR AN ENTITY)
________________________________________________
EMAIL / PHONE
________________________________________________
LABEL / ASSIGNEE
SIGNATURE
________________________________________________
DATE
________________________________________________
COMPANY NAME
Tps Empire Records
PRINTED NAME
________________________________________________
TITLE (IF SIGNING FOR AN ENTITY)
________________________________________________
EMAIL / PHONE
________________________________________________
Schedule A
Assigned master recordings — complete this schedule before signing
Only the recordings identified below are assigned. Attach additional pages if needed, and have both Parties initial each added page.
Song title / master file
Version / mix
Recording date
Writer(s) / producer(s)
Artist share
Delivery details
MASTER FILE FORMAT(S)
________________________________________________
DELIVERY DATE
________________________________________________
ISRC(S), IF ASSIGNED
________________________________________________
RELEASE DATE, IF KNOWN
________________________________________________
FEATURED PERFORMER(S)
________________________________________________
PRODUCER AGREEMENT DATE(S)
________________________________________________
SESSION / PROJECT LOCATION
________________________________________________
OTHER IDENTIFYING DETAILS
________________________________________________
Third-party material and exceptions
List every beat license, sample, loop, featured performer, producer claim, lien, prior license, or other restriction. If none, write "None."
THIRD-PARTY MATERIAL / LICENSE TERMS
________________________________________________
EXCEPTIONS TO ARTIST REPRESENTATIONS
________________________________________________
ATTACHED DOCUMENTS
________________________________________________
Schedule A approval
ARTIST INITIALS
________________________________________________
LABEL INITIALS
________________________________________________
DATE
________________________________________________
DATE
________________________________________________
Optional witness or notary acknowledgment
Use only if requested by a lawyer, government office, or other receiving party. Notarization is not a substitute for completing and signing the Agreement.
WITNESS SIGNATURE
________________________________________________
WITNESS PRINTED NAME
________________________________________________
STATE
________________________________________________
COUNTY
________________________________________________
Acknowledged before me on __________________________ by ________________________________________________.
NOTARY SIGNATURE
________________________________________________
NOTARY PRINTED NAME
________________________________________________
COMMISSION NUMBER
________________________________________________
COMMISSION EXPIRATION
________________________________________________
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AGREEMENT 3 — EXCLUSIVE BEAT COPYRIGHT ASSIGNMENT
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Exclusive Beat Copyright Assignment
An exclusive written transfer of the musical-work (composition) copyrights in the TpsEastsidewill beats listed in Schedule A
IMPORTANT SCOPE NOTE. This agreement transfers only the copyrights and related rights in the musical works (beats / instrumentals / compositions) identified in Schedule A. It does not transfer sound-recording (master) rights unless a separate sound-recording assignment is signed. Names, titles, and ideas are not copyrightable and are not covered by this agreement.
Parties and effective date
This Beat Copyright Assignment Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of the Effective Date written at the end of this document (the "Effective Date"), by and between the producer named below (the "Producer") and the record label named below (the "Label").
The Producer and the Label may each be called a "Party" and together the "Parties."
Producer: TpsEastsidewill ("prod by Eastsidewill")
Producer address / email / phone:
______________________________________________
Label: Tps Empire Records
Effective Date:
______________________________________________
1. Assigned Beats
"Assigned Beats" means only the original musical works (beats, instrumentals, compositions), including each identified beat's melody, harmony, rhythm, arrangement, and lyrics if any, that are specifically identified in Schedule A. Beats not listed in Schedule A are not covered.
2. Assignment of musical-work copyrights
For the consideration stated in Section 3, the Producer irrevocably assigns, transfers, and conveys to the Label all of the Producer's right, title, and interest in and to the copyrights in the Assigned Beats, including the exclusive rights of reproduction, distribution, public performance, public display, and the preparation of derivative works.
The transfer is worldwide and lasts for the full term of copyright, including renewals and extensions. To the extent any rights cannot be assigned under applicable law, the Producer grants the Label an exclusive, worldwide, perpetual license to those rights with the right to sublicense.
2.5. Exclusivity
This assignment is EXCLUSIVE. The Producer shall not sell, assign, license, lease, or otherwise transfer any right in the Assigned Beats to any third party, and shall not permit any third party to use the Assigned Beats, without the Label's prior written consent. The Assigned Beats are made exclusively for the Label.
2.6. Producer credit
On every commercial release embodying an Assigned Beat, the Label shall credit the Producer as "prod by Eastsidewill."
3. Consideration
In exchange for this assignment, the Label will provide the following consideration. The Parties must complete this section before signing. If more than one option applies, the Parties should initial each applicable option: Producer ______ Label ______.
Option A — Flat fee: the Label pays the Producer $__________ per Assigned Beat, payable as follows: ______________________________________________
Option B — Royalty / publishing split: Producer retains __________% of the publishing / songwriter share, Label receives __________%.
Option C — Other consideration: ______________________________________________
4. Label ownership and use
Subject to any payment or royalty terms written in Section 3, the Label may register, license, exploit, and enforce the copyrights in the Assigned Beats in any media now known or later developed, and may authorize others to do so.
The Label will own the copyright notices for the Assigned Beats and may identify itself as the copyright owner. Nothing in this Agreement obligates the Label to exploit any Assigned Beat.
5. Rights not transferred
The Producer keeps all rights not expressly assigned by this Agreement. In particular, this Agreement does not transfer ownership of any sound recordings (masters) embodying the Assigned Beats, any artist performance royalties, or any trademarks or name/likeness rights, unless a separate written agreement says so.
6. Producer representations
The Producer represents and warrants that: (a) the Producer created the Assigned Beats and owns the interest being assigned, or otherwise has full authority to transfer it; (b) the Assigned Beats are original and do not infringe any third party's copyright or other rights; (c) the Assigned Beats contain no samples, interpolations, or third-party loops that have not been cleared in writing, and any cleared material is disclosed in Schedule A; (d) the Assigned Beats are not subject to any prior exclusive assignment, lien, or claim that would prevent this transfer.
The Producer will promptly give the Label copies of relevant licenses, releases, split sheets, and co-producer or featured-artist agreements for each Assigned Beat.
7. Further documents and delivery
The Producer will deliver the final beat files (including stems / trackouts and session files where available) and reasonably available session information identified in Schedule A. Each Party will sign any further documents reasonably needed to register or enforce the Label's ownership, including copyright registration filings.
8. Responsibility for third-party claims
The Producer is responsible for claims arising from a breach of the Producer's representations in Section 6, and will cooperate with the Label in defending such claims.
Notices and signatures
Notices under this Agreement must be in writing and sent to the addresses listed above. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, including electronic signatures, each of which counts as an original.
Producer signature: ______________________________________________
Producer printed name: ______________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________
Label (Tps Empire Records) signature: ______________________________________________
Label (Tps Empire Records) printed name: ______________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________
Schedule A — Assigned Beats
List every beat covered by this Agreement. Only listed beats are assigned.
Beat title
Date created
BPM / key
Co-producers / splits
Samples or third-party material (cleared?)
Optional witness / notary acknowledgment
Witness printed name: ______________________________________________
Witness signature: ______________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________