Band Partnership Agreement Template – Music Band Contract, Songwriting, Royalties, Band Fund & Member Agreement | PDF and Word

Protect your music, finances, creative rights, and working relationships with this professional Band Partnership Agreement Template.
Designed for bands, musicians, recording artists, independent music groups, and performing groups, this customizable agreement helps band members put important business and creative expectations in writing before disagreements arise.

From decision-making and rehearsal commitments to songwriting credits, master recordings, royalties, merchandise, shared equipment, and member departures, this agreement provides a structured foundation for managing the business side of a band.

GOVERNANCE & DECISION-MAKING
Establish how important business and creative decisions will be made within the band.
The agreement allows members to customize:

• Majority Vote or Unanimous Consent
• Creative Decision-Making
• Tie-Breaking Authority
• Rehearsal Frequency
• Attendance Expectations
• Notice Requirements for Missed Rehearsals
• Potential Membership Reviews or Fines

The template specifically provides a process for handling creative deadlocks and establishing rehearsal expectations.

BAND FUND & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Avoid confusion about where the band's money goes.
The agreement allows members to designate a percentage of gross income from gigs, merchandise, and royalties for a central Band Fund used for shared expenses such as:

• Rehearsal Space
• Public Relations
• Recording
• Equipment

The remaining income can then be divided among members according to the method selected by the band.

SHARED VS. INDIVIDUAL EXPENSES
Clearly distinguish between expenses that belong to the band and expenses that individual members are expected to cover.
Examples in the template include shared costs such as recording sessions, sound engineers, and tour van rentals, while personal instruments, strings, sticks, and individual insurance are identified as individual expenses.

BAND NAME OWNERSHIP
Who owns the band's name if someone leaves—or the group breaks up?
The agreement allows members to establish:

• Who Owns the Band Name
• Whether Ownership Belongs to the Partnership or an Individual
• What Happens to the Name if the Partnership Dissolves

SONGWRITING CREDITS & SPLIT SHEETS
Establish how songwriting ownership will be determined.
The agreement provides for music and lyric credits to be established on a per-song basis using a Split Sheet and allows the band to establish a default allocation when no split sheet exists.

This can help band members establish expectations regarding songwriting contributions before royalty disputes occur.

PRE-EXISTING SONGS
Protect music written before the band was formed or before a member joined.
The template provides that songs identified in Schedule A as pre-existing works remain the property of the original writer while granting the band permission to perform those songs during the agreement's term.

MASTER RECORDING OWNERSHIP
Songwriting rights and ownership of a recording are not necessarily the same thing.
This agreement includes a dedicated provision allowing the band to specify whether ownership of its master recordings ("Masters") belongs to the Band Partnership or the funding party.

MERCHANDISE OWNERSHIP
Establish who owns merchandise purchased using shared band money.
The template provides that merchandise purchased using Band Funds belongs to the Partnership.

GIGS, COMMUNICATION & PERFORMANCE LOGISTICS
Create professional expectations for shows and other band activities.
Customize requirements for:

• Responding to Group Texts & Emails
• Communication Response Times
• Venue Arrival Times
• Soundcheck Arrival Requirements

The template allows the band to establish specific response and arrival times that all members are expected to follow.

MEMBER DEPARTURE & REMOVAL
Plan ahead for what happens when a member voluntarily leaves or must be removed from the group.
The agreement addresses:

• Voluntary Withdrawal
• Required Notice Period
• Involuntary Removal
• Removal for Cause
• Member Voting Requirements
• Buyouts
• Future Royalties
• Shared Physical Assets
• Band Equipment & Vehicles

ROYALTIES AFTER A MEMBER LEAVES
Establish what happens to a departing member's financial interests.
The agreement allows the band to specify whether a departing member retains or forfeits future royalty interests and how ownership interests in shared physical assets such as gear or a band van will be handled.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Create a process for handling disputes that cannot be resolved through the band's internal voting procedures.
The template allows members to select mediation or arbitration and specify the applicable state.

MEMBER SIGNATURES
Finalize the agreement with dedicated signature and date lines for up to four band members.
PERFECT FOR
• New Bands
• Established Bands
• Touring Bands
• Independent Musicians
• Recording Artists
• Rock Bands
• Pop Groups
• Cover Bands
• Wedding & Event Bands
• Music Partnerships
• Songwriters & Performers
• Bands Preparing to Record Music
• Bands Earning Gig or Merchandise Revenue
• Musicians Sharing Equipment & Expenses
CUSTOMIZABLE FOR YOUR BAND
Personalize the agreement with your:
• Band Name
• Member Names
• Voting Structure
• Rehearsal Requirements
• Band Fund Percentage
• Profit Distribution
• Expense Responsibilities
• Business Structure
• Band Name Ownership
• Songwriting Splits
• Pre-Existing Songs
• Master Recording Ownership
• Communication Requirements
• Departure Notice Period
• Member Removal Procedures
• Royalty Rights
• Equipment Buyout Terms
• Dispute Resolution Method
• Governing State

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
This is a digital product. No physical item will be shipped.
Your purchase includes a customizable Band Partnership Agreement in PDF and Word formats.

Download the files, customize the agreement to reflect your band's actual business and creative arrangements, and have each member review the completed document before signing.

IMPORTANT LEGAL DISCLAIMER
This template is provided for general informational and document-preparation purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, intellectual-property, entertainment-law, or business advice.
Use of this template does not automatically create an LLC or determine the legal or tax classification of a band. The uploaded agreement allows the band to select “General Partnership/LLC,” but forming an LLC generally requires separate state filings and other organizational steps.

Music ownership and royalty rights can also involve separate legal interests in musical compositions, lyrics, sound recordings, publishing rights, performance rights, and other intellectual property. Bands should consider having an attorney review the completed agreement, particularly when valuable copyrights, master recordings, touring income, or significant assets are involved.

Due to the nature of digital products, all sales are final.