Split Sheets: Stop Losing Money on Your Collaborations
If you're making music with other people and don't have a split sheet, you're setting yourself up for disaster. Here's how to protect your royalties.
What Is a Split Sheet?
A split sheet is a written agreement between collaborators that documents who contributed what to a song and what percentage of ownership each person holds. It covers both the composition (songwriting) and sometimes the master recording.
Why Split Sheets Matter in SA
In South Africa, SAMRO distributes royalties based on registered ownership percentages. Without a split sheet, there's no clear record of who owns what — which means delayed payments, disputes, and potentially losing money you earned.
The Horror Story
We've seen it too many times: two artists collaborate on a hit, it blows up on TikTok, and then neither can collect full royalties because they never agreed on splits. Don't be that artist.
What to Include
- Song title and date of creation
- Full legal names of all contributors
- Percentage splits for each contributor
- Type of contribution — lyrics, melody, production, arrangement
- Publisher information (if applicable)
- Signatures from all parties
Golden Rules
- Sign BEFORE the session — or at least the same day
- Be specific about contribution types
- Keep copies — everyone gets a signed version
- Register your splits with SAMRO and your distributor
Create professional split sheets instantly with our Legal Templates.
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