# Co-Writer Split Sheet

**TEMPLATE ONLY — not legal advice. Have an entertainment attorney review before signing.**

This split sheet documents the agreed ownership of the **musical composition** (the song — lyrics and music) created by the co-writers below. It is intended to be filled out and signed in the room on the day the song is written, before anyone leaves. It is separate from the ownership of the **master recording** (see the master-side note near the bottom).

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## Song Information

| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Song Title (Working) | [FILL IN] |
| Alternate / Final Title | [FILL IN] |
| Date Written | [FILL IN] |
| Studio / Location | [FILL IN] |
| Session Contact (name + email/phone) | [FILL IN] |
| Project / Artist the song is for | [FILL IN] |
| Producer(s) of the session | [FILL IN] |

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## Composition (Songwriting) Splits

The undersigned writers agree that the songwriting copyright in the above composition is owned in the percentages listed. **Total must equal 100%.**

| # | Writer / Legal Name | Role (top-line, lyrics, music, production) | Publisher (or "self") | PRO (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC) | IPI / CAE # | Ownership % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN]% |
| 2 | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN]% |
| 3 | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN]% |
| 4 | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN]% |
| 5 | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN]% |
| | | | | | **TOTAL** | **100%** |

**Notes on completing this table**
- **Role** describes the contribution (e.g., wrote the topline/melody, wrote lyrics, made the beat/track, played an instrument, produced). This helps justify the split if there's ever a dispute.
- **Publisher** = the writer's publishing company if they have one; write "self" if they are unpublished/self-administered. If a writer is signed, list the publisher exactly as it should appear in registrations.
- **PRO** = the performing rights organization the writer is affiliated with (ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC). Each writer registers their share with their own PRO.
- **IPI / CAE #** = the unique number assigned to a writer/publisher by their PRO. Leave blank if unknown and fill in later.
- **Ownership %** = the agreed share of the composition. All shares together must total exactly 100%.

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## Sample / Interpolation Clearance

| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Does this song contain a sample or interpolation? | [ ] No  [ ] Yes |
| If yes — source song / recording | [FILL IN] |
| Rights holder(s) to clear | [FILL IN] |
| Clearance status | [ ] Not started  [ ] In progress  [ ] Cleared |

> If a sample is later cleared, the percentages above may need to be re-allocated to the sampled work's rights holders. Any such change must be agreed in writing by all writers.

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## Master-Side Recording Split (Reference Note)

This split sheet covers the **composition** only. The **sound recording (master)** is a separate copyright and may be owned differently (often by the artist, label, or producer, depending on agreements).

For reference, the parties acknowledge the intended master ownership as follows (this is informational and should be confirmed in the applicable recording/producer agreement):

| Party | Role | Intended Master Share % |
|---|---|---|
| [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN]% |
| [FILL IN] | [FILL IN] | [FILL IN]% |
| | **TOTAL** | **100%** |

> Producer points, "beat lease vs. exclusive," and label ownership are governed by their own contracts. This note does not replace a producer agreement.

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## Agreement & Signatures

By signing below, each writer confirms that:
1. They contributed to the composition as described and the ownership percentages above are accurate and agreed.
2. The information provided (legal name, publisher, PRO, IPI) is correct to the best of their knowledge.
3. Each writer (and their publisher, if any) is responsible for registering their own share with their PRO and, where applicable, the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) and SoundExchange (for the master side).
4. This sheet may be used to register the work and to resolve any future questions about ownership.

| Writer Name (print) | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|
| [FILL IN] | _________________________ | [FILL IN] |
| [FILL IN] | _________________________ | [FILL IN] |
| [FILL IN] | _________________________ | [FILL IN] |
| [FILL IN] | _________________________ | [FILL IN] |
| [FILL IN] | _________________________ | [FILL IN] |

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*Keep a signed copy with the project files. Photograph or scan it the day it's signed. Update and re-sign if the song title changes or splits are renegotiated.*