Deals & Your Rights
Royalty Splits & Split Sheets
Royalty splits set each contributor’s ownership percentage of a song. A split sheet locks them in before release — the simplest way to avoid the most common income disputes.
Every song's income is divided by splits — the agreed ownership percentages for each songwriter, producer, and rights holder, on both the composition and the recording. A split sheet records them at the session, before anything is released.
Unclear splits are the most common reason royalties get stuck or fought over. Accurate splits, tied to your ISWC and verified credits, are what let collectors pay the right person — and are central to claiming unclaimed royalties. Notes keeps your splits and credits attached to every release.
Good to know
Royalty Splits & Split Sheets: common questions
- What is a split sheet?
- A simple document, ideally signed at the writing session, that records what percentage of a song each contributor owns. It prevents disputes and makes royalties payable to the right people.
- What happens if splits aren't documented?
- Royalties can go unmatched or unclaimed, and disputes are hard to resolve later. Documenting splits up front — with your credits and ISWC — keeps the money flowing correctly.