The short definition
A split sheet lists the names of the people who created the song and the shares they agreed to. If you want a simple starting point, see the split sheet template.
What the law says about joint authors
Under US copyright law, a joint work is one prepared by two or more authors who intend their contributions to be merged into inseparable or interdependent parts of one work. The authors of a joint work are coowners of the copyright, and the statute does not set a percentage split. For a plain-language overview, visit the glossary.
What a sheet does not do
A split sheet does not register the song. Copyright exists automatically in an original work once it is fixed in a tangible medium, and registration is not mandatory. Also, placing a copyright notice on a work is not a substitute for registration. If you are comparing paperwork, see split sheets and how to split royalties.
How to fill one in
Use the template, then type only the shares everyone already agreed to. A split sheet should reflect the deal as written by the creators, not a guess after the fact.
- Enter each writer’s name
- List the agreed share for each person
- Keep a copy with your song records
Not legal advice. Splitline does not grant a license, clear a sample, or pay royalties.