Co-writing splits and registering your works
Understanding co-writing and splits
WATCH: Splitting song royalties can get complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.
There is no one set approach to deciding songwriting splits
If possible, discuss your expectations before you start, and get your agreement in writing
Arts Law has a range of agreement templates which can help
Like any good relationship, songwriting collaborations work best when there’s mutual trust and respect. There are no set rules or formula about how songwriting splits should occur. It comes down to what co-writers are happy with, and what they think is fair.
Everyone who helps to write a song usually gets some share of the royalties. However there are no set rules or formula to set it up.
It’s important to have a conversation with your co-writer/s about song splits. If possible, discuss this before you start writing together and talk about your expectations. If you’ve already written the song, try to have that conversation as soon as possible. If you’re not sure how to approach it, perhaps just simply say “how are we going to register the song with APRA AMCOS?”
Tips on how to approach song splits
Agree – when possible, agree on how to approach the splits BEFORE the writing starts. Jam sessions happen, collaborations can be spontaneous, but always try to discuss splits at the start of the work.
Review – when the song is finished, ensure everyone is happy about their percentage, and the percentage that their co-writers are receiving. Remember, it’s a good idea to get something in writing that shows everyone agrees with the splits - even an email chain is better than nothing.
Different types of splitting arrangements
If you need help creating an agreement, check out Arts Law’s Songwriting Collaboration Agreement template, or their Band Partnership Letter Agreement.
Equal shares
Often, band members who write together (or co-writers) simply split their songwriting royalties equally between them.
Alternatively, writers within a band will also adjust the percentages if they feel that one person has written more than others. Have these conversations openly.
Not all band members may be writers.
Nashville Rule
This is a term used when an equal percentage of ownership is given to EVERYONE who was in the room during the writing of the song, regardless of how much each person contributed.
This is the method that APRA AMCOS uses at our SongHubs songwriting camps.
Think of it as ‘If you were in the room, you’re in the song.’
Music and lyrics
Traditionally, songs were thought of in terms of music and lyrics. 50% of ownership went to whoever wrote the music; and 50% ownership went to whoever wrote the lyrics.
The way people create music today means that this tradition doesn’t always apply. Some writers choose to expand splits to take into account other musical elements like production, riffs, harmony, groove and arrangement.
Top liners and track writers
Today, music is often written collaboratively by a combination of professional top liners (writers who specialise in words and melody) and track writers (writers who create chord structures and musical backings etc).
Often producers are cut into songs if they have made a contribution to the writing and construction. At the top level of the industry, even artists are sometimes given a percentage, simply for lending their profile and fanbase to the song.
Registering works with APRA AMCOS
WATCH: How do I register a song?
Once you have agreement on song split percentages, make sure you register the song with APRA AMCOS asap. This is called a work registration. You can quickly and easily register your works in the APRA AMCOS Writer Portal, or in the APRA AMCOS for Music Creators App.
Don’t wait until the song has been played, performed or released before this happens! You need to register your works before they can earn royalties.
Can song splits be changed after a work is registered?
After a song has been registered with us, we require permission from ALL the co-owners (co-writers AND publishers) to change it. This can prove almost impossible if relationships within bands or between co-witers have broken down. You’ll need to contact us to make changes to a work after it is registered. Email [email protected]
Work registration tips
- If you have a publishing agreement, your publisher needs to register the work, so don’t delay providing that information to your publisher
- If you are registering a remix of a pre-existing song or composition you will need permission from the copyright owners of the original song or composition before you register your remix
- For co-writes, enter the percentage share for each co-writer of the song.
- If you need an International Standard Recording Code (ISRC), contact ARIA
- Find out how your work gets an International Standard Musical Work Code (ISWC).
- If you make a mistake when you register a work – eg: you might have misspelt the title – you’ll need to contact us to make edits. Email [email protected]
Frequently asked questions
Should I register my musical work any differently than usual if I have used generative AI?
For copyright to exist in a work, it needs to be an original work created by a human. If you have created an original work with the assistance of technology, including generative AI technology, our current advice is that you may still register the work as usual, listing yourself as the composer/lyricist of the work. Remember the composer/lyricist shares of the work should total 100%
I have a dispute with a co-writer over a work. Can APRA AMCOS help me resolve this?
We have a process for handling disputes between members, for example, if you and another writer disagree on the ownership percentage of a work that has been registered with APRA AMCOS. Please please send a short message via the Contact Us page in the first instance.
Our writer services team will contact the member and see if the dispute can be resolved between the parties. In some instances, we might recommend the dispute be referred to the independent third party alternative dispute resolution facilitator, Resolution Pathways. You can find out more about this process on the Resolution Pathways website.
When working with co-writers, it is best to have a clear written agreement that states the nature of your collaboration.
I'm in a band. How do we split royalties?
Ideally you work it out song by song, as it probably won’t be the same for all songs. You'll need to do this before you register the song with APRA AMCOS.
This is easy, for example, if one person wrote 100% of the lyrics and the other wrote 100% of the music. When you’ve written a song with others, it’s a good idea to have a written agreement that talks about the share of copyright you each take.
How do I update my membership details?
Head to the Writer Portal or access the APRA AMCOS for Music Creators app (download for free from the App Store for Apple devices and on Google Play for Android) to update personal information like bank account, email, or phone number. Need help? Use our handy guide.
Some details, such as a change of legal name, can only be amended via email at [email protected]
How do I log in to the Writer Portal?
In the 'Log in' menu on the website, choose 'Songwriters and composers' and then log in to your account. Enter your email address - the one you use for APRA AMCOS correspondence.
If it's your first time logging in, follow the steps to set up passwordless login.
What is passwordless login?
We use a simple, secure method to log you in – no passwords required. Just enter your account email and we will send you a one-time code. You can also log in with a passkey (Face ID, fingerprint, or your device unlock).