Expert guides on recording contracts, producer agreements, publishing deals, and the business of music — written by industry professionals.
A breakdown of standard royalty rates for new, mid-level, and established artists — including how net receipts, packaging deductions, and streaming economics affect what you actually earn.
The most common traps in producer agreements — from perpetual master ownership to missing letter of direction clauses — and how to spot them before you sign.
Audit rights let you verify that your label is paying you correctly. Here's what to negotiate, what "standard" looks like, and why missing audit rights is a deal-breaker.
When should you use AI-powered contract analysis vs hiring a music attorney? A practical comparison covering cost, turnaround time, accuracy, and when you need both.
A comprehensive breakdown of 360 record deals — what labels take, standard percentages for each revenue stream, and how to negotiate carve-outs that protect your income.
How controlled composition clauses reduce your mechanical royalties, what the statutory rate is in 2026, and how to negotiate better terms.
Who owns your master recordings, when (if ever) they revert to you, and why this single clause determines the long-term value of your music career.
A plain-language explanation of how recoupment works in recording, publishing, and producer deals — including what costs are recoupable, cross-collateralization, and when you start getting paid.
The three main types of publishing deals — co-publishing, administration, and full publishing — what each one takes, and which is right for your career stage.
Everything you need to know about non-exclusive vs exclusive beat licenses, standard pricing tiers, and the key terms that protect both producers and artists.
How sync licensing works, standard fee ranges for different placements, and what to look for in a sync licensing agreement before signing.
What to expect in a music management agreement — standard commission rates, sunset clauses, key person provisions, and the terms that separate fair deals from bad ones.
The key differences between distribution deals and traditional record deals — ownership, costs, royalty splits, and how to decide which structure fits your career.
Key terms in composer agreements for film, television, and media — including work-for-hire, backend royalties, cue sheets, and soundtrack rights.
What cross-collateralization means, how it works across albums and income streams, and how to negotiate limitations or remove it entirely.
How AI is changing music contracts — from synthetic voice protections to training data consent — and the specific clauses you should demand in any new deal.
A practical guide to splitting songwriting credits and publishing income — standard approaches, common disputes, and how to document splits properly.
What mechanical royalties are, how they're calculated for streaming vs physical vs downloads, who pays them, and how to make sure you're collecting everything you're owed.
A practical negotiation playbook for artists signing their first (or second) record deal — what to push for, what to accept, and when to walk away.
What re-recording restrictions are, standard timeframes, how Taylor Swift brought them into the spotlight, and what to negotiate in your contract.
A plain-language glossary of the most important legal and business terms in music contracts — from advances and recoupment to reversion and sync licensing.