Publishing Administration Agreement Template
Administration is how writers and small publishers get professional collection and licensing without signing away their copyrights. This agreement defines exactly that — and what the owner keeps.
Get the Administration template — $10
Collect properly, keep ownership — fillable PDF + Word.
What is a publishing administration agreement?
A publishing administration agreement lets an administrator collect royalties and license a catalog on the owner’s behalf, in exchange for a fee, while ownership stays with the original owner.
When you need it
- Hiring an admin to collect global royalties
- Licensing a catalog without transferring copyright
- Upgrading from self-collection to professional administration
What’s included in the template
- Term and administration fee
- Administrator duties and licensing authority
- Rights the owner retains
- Accounting and audit terms
- Fillable PDF plus an editable Word file
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose ownership of my songs?
No — that is the key difference from a full publishing deal. Administration grants collection and licensing rights for a term and fee; ownership stays with you.
How long do admin deals last?
Terms vary, commonly a few years with a collection period afterward. Set the term and any post-term collection in the agreement.
Can an admin issue sync and mechanical licenses?
Often yes, within the authority you grant. Define exactly which licenses the administrator may issue.
Related templates
- Co-Publishing Agreement Template
- Sync License Agreement Template
- Mechanical License Template
- Music Publishing Power Pack — all 10 contracts for $50
These are professionally drafted templates, not legal advice. Have a qualified attorney review any agreement before you sign.