Producer Agreement Template - 50/50 Profit Split (No Advance)

Not every producer deal involves an upfront check — sometimes the producer believes in the project and wants in on the backend. This 4-page template is built for exactly that scenario: no advance, no flat fee, but a 50/50 split on everything the song generates. Both parties win when the song wins.

Attorney-drafted and used in real music industry deals — available as an instant-download template for producers and artists who want to document their collaboration the right way.

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What's Included

Ownership Structure

• Work-for-hire master — producer grants the artist full ownership of the master recording
• 50/50 publishing split — artist and producer share the underlying composition equally
• 50/50 profit split — all net profits from the song split equally between both parties
• Clear definitions of "profit" — what gets deducted before the split kicks in

Rights & Credits

• Producer credit requirements — how the producer must be credited on releases and streaming platforms
• Grant of rights — what rights the producer grants to the artist for distribution and exploitation
• Sample clearance responsibility — who handles and pays for clearing any samples

Legal Protections

• Warranties & representations — both parties guarantee they own what they claim
• Indemnification — protection if a third party makes claims against the work
• SoundExchange Letter of Direction — ensures the producer receives their share of digital performance royalties directly

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Common Mistakes This Template Helps You Avoid

❌ No written agreement at all — a verbal 50/50 deal means nothing when the song blows up and someone changes their story

❌ Undefined "profit" — without a clear definition, one party can deduct everything and claim there's no profit to split

❌ Missing publishing documentation — without written proof of the publishing split, PROs won't know who to pay

❌ No sample clearance terms — who pays if a sample needs clearing? This must be in writing before release

❌ Producer not getting SoundExchange royalties — without a Letter of Direction, the producer's share of digital performance royalties goes uncollected

✅ This template addresses all of these issues upfront.

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Who This Is For

• Producers who believe in a project and are willing to work without an upfront advance
• Independent artists working with producers on a profit-share basis
• Beatmakers collaborating directly with artists on original tracks
• Any producer-artist partnership where both parties want equal ownership and backend participation

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is "profit" defined in this agreement?
The template defines profit as gross revenue minus agreed-upon deductions (distribution fees, recording costs, etc.). You can customize what gets deducted before the split kicks in based on your specific deal.

Does the producer own the master recording?
No. Under this agreement, the producer grants the artist ownership of the master as a work-for-hire. The producer's compensation comes from the 50/50 profit split and their publishing share — not master ownership.

What's the difference between this and the Producer Agreement with Advance + Royalty?
The Advance + Royalty agreement pays the producer an upfront fee and backend royalty points (typically 2–5%). This 50/50 agreement pays nothing upfront but gives the producer a much larger backend share. Which is right depends on your deal and how much you believe in the project.

Is this template legally binding?
Yes, when properly executed by both parties. For high-value deals, have an attorney review before signing.

Can I modify the split percentage?
Absolutely. The 50/50 split is the default but you can adjust to any split that works for your deal — 60/40, 70/30, etc.

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What Happens After Purchase

✅ Instant Download — Microsoft Word (.docx) file delivered immediately after checkout
✅ Fully Editable — Customize all terms including split percentages and deductions
✅ SoundExchange Letter of Direction Included — bonus document ensuring the producer gets their digital performance royalties
✅ Lifetime Access — Download anytime from your account
✅ One-Time Payment — $20, no subscription

Need this customized? Email adam@acfreedmanlaw.com to discuss a contract review or custom drafting.

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*DISCLAIMER: These templates are for informational purposes only, and purchasing them doesn't make us your lawyer. It's impossible to make one version that fits every situation, so you should contact a lawyer to make sure it fits yours.