What Is a Split Sheet?
A split sheet is a short written agreement that lists everyone who wrote a song and what percentage of the song each person owns. It's one of the simplest documents in the music business, and one of the most important.
Why it matters
To license a song for TV, film or ads, every owner has to agree. If ownership is unclear, a music supervisor will usually move on to a song they can clear quickly. A signed split sheet answers the ownership question in seconds. It also helps PROs pay the right people.
What to include
- Song title and date written
- Every writer's and producer's legal name
- Each person's ownership share (all shares must add up to 100%)
- Each writer's PRO (for example ASCAP, BMI or SESAC) and IPI/CAE number if they have one
- Each writer's publisher (or "self-published")
- Who owns the master recording
- Contact info and signatures from everyone
When to do it
Fill it out the same day the song is written, while everyone is in the room and agrees on who did what. Waiting months makes it much harder.
Tips
- Agree on splits before anyone gets paid, not after.
- Keep a signed copy (a photo or PDF) for every song in one folder.
- If you have questions about a specific agreement, talk to a qualified music attorney.