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No. 08Deal Structure
Also called co-pub deal, copublishing, publisher co-ownership
A publisher takes a share of your song copyright in exchange for administration and advances.
Watch closely
Permanent copyright transfer is the key risk; publishing deals can look attractive upfront but have lasting consequences.
In a co-publishing deal, the publisher typically acquires 50% of your songwriter copyright (the 'publisher's share') while you retain the other 50% plus all of your 'writer's share.' The publisher administers the catalogue, pitches songs for sync, and collects income globally in exchange for an advance.
Giving up 50% of your copyright means that even after the agreement expires, the publisher may retain their share permanently, unless a reversion clause is included. Song catalogues are long-term assets that appreciate over decades.
The same clause is drafted three ways. These are the positions we see, worst first, so you can tell at a glance which one is in front of you.
The drafting language and the negotiation moves for this clause are part of the workspace.
You have read what the clause means and where the risk sits. The rest is the side-by-side of how it reads when it is against you and when it is not, plus the specific moves that get it there.