Without a signed split sheet, ownership of a song comes down to memory — and memories differ once a song gets placed on a playlist, synced to a show, or starts earning royalties. Publishers, PROs like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, and distributors all rely on agreed splits to pay writers correctly.
A split sheet takes five minutes to fill out at the end of a session. Read more in why split sheets are non-negotiable for indie collaborations.
With a free Influanto account you can save your split sheets, keep your collaborators' details as contacts, email the sheet to every contributor, and collect signatures online. Your saved collaborators' roles and publishing info auto-fill on your next split sheet. Create a free account.
A split sheet is a short agreement that records who wrote a song and what percentage of the song each writer owns. Everyone who contributed signs it, ideally on the day the song is made, so royalties can be registered and paid correctly later.
The song title, the date, the artist(s), every contributor's name, role, ownership percentage, and contact info, publishing details (publisher and publishing percentage, plus PRO and IPI numbers if known), and each contributor's signature and date.
Yes. Fill in the form and download your split sheet as a PDF for free, no account required. With a free Influanto account you can also save up to 5 split sheets, send them to collaborators by email, and collect e-signatures.
No. A split sheet signed by every contributor is generally enough to document ownership. For large deals or disputes, have an entertainment lawyer review your agreements.
Before everyone leaves the session. Percentages are easy to agree on while the song is fresh and much harder to settle after it gets placed, licensed, or starts earning.
There's no fixed rule — collaborators agree on percentages based on each person's contribution to the lyrics, melody, and composition. Many writers split evenly among everyone in the room. The total for the composition must add up to 100%.