Protect Your Song. Define the Splits. Keep It Clear.
When multiple people contribute to a song, everyone should know exactly who owns what.
The Tellingbeatzz Publishing Split Sheet provides a simple way to document the songwriting and publishing ownership of your song before release.
Record every writer, their PRO and IPI/CAE information, agree on the percentages, and have all parties sign the document.
Free PDF Template • No Sign-Up Required
What Is a Publishing Split Sheet?
A publishing split sheet is a written record of who owns what percentage of a musical composition.
When an artist writes lyrics or melodies over a Tellingbeatzz instrumental, both the artist and producer may have songwriting interests in the finished composition.
The split sheet records those percentages so that everyone involved has a clear record of the agreed ownership.
For Tellingbeatzz productions using a 50/50 publishing split, the producer/composer side receives 50% of the composition, while the artist/songwriter side collectively receives the remaining 50%.
The percentages of all writers combined should always equal 100%.
How the 50/50 Publishing Split Works
The important part is that 50% belongs to Tellingbeatzz and the remaining 50% belongs collectively to the artist/songwriter side.
That does not necessarily mean every artist receives 50%.
One Artist + One Producer
Thomas Hodek / Tellingbeatzz — 50%
Artist / Songwriter — 50%
Total — 100%
Two Artists + One Producer
If two artists contributed equally:
Thomas Hodek / Tellingbeatzz — 50%
Artist / Songwriter 1 — 25%
Artist / Songwriter 2 — 25%
Total — 100%
Three Artists + One Producer
The producer’s share remains:
Thomas Hodek / Tellingbeatzz — 50%
The three artists then divide the remaining 50% between themselves according to their agreed contributions.
The artists do not necessarily have to divide their 50% equally. If multiple writers are involved, they should agree among themselves how their collective share is divided.
The only requirement for the completed split sheet is that all listed shares together equal 100%.
How to Fill Out the Split Sheet
The document is intentionally simple. You should complete it once the final writers and publishing percentages for the song have been agreed upon.
1. Song Title
Enter the final title of your song.
Example: Song Title: No Turning Back
If you have not chosen a final title yet, you can use the current working title, but make sure everyone can clearly identify which composition the agreement refers to.
2. Beat / Instrumental Title
Enter the original Tellingbeatzz beat title used to create the song.
Example: Beat / Instrumental Title: Still I Run
This makes it possible to connect the finished song with the original instrumental.
3. Date
Enter the date on which the split sheet is completed or signed.
Example: September 10, 2026
Add Every Writer & Composer
The table contains five important pieces of information for every person who owns part of the composition.
Writer / Composer
Enter the person’s legal name.
Do not use only an artist or stage name here.
Example: John Smith
Artist / Composer Name
Enter the person’s professional artist, songwriter, or composer name.
Example: J. Smith
For the producer side of a Tellingbeatzz production, the template already identifies: Thomas Hodek — Tellingbeatzz
PRO
Enter the writer’s Performing Rights Organization.
Depending on where the writer is located, this could be organizations such as GEMA, ASCAP, BMI, PRS, SESAC or another applicable rights organization.
If a writer is not currently registered with a PRO, they can indicate that accordingly rather than inventing information.
IPI / CAE Number
Enter the writer’s IPI/CAE number if one has been assigned.
This is an identification number used by performing rights organizations and music rights databases to identify songwriters, composers and other rights holders.
Make sure you use the correct number belonging to the writer listed on the split sheet.
Split
Enter the agreed percentage of the composition owned by that writer.
For Tellingbeatzz, the producer information is already included in the template as:
Thomas Hodek
Tellingbeatzz
GEMA
IPI / CAE: 716014087
Split: 50%
The artist/songwriter side then completes the remaining 50%.
When you’re finished:
All Splits Must Equal 100%
Example: Completed Split Sheet
Imagine an artist named John Smith records a song over a Tellingbeatzz production and is the only additional songwriter.
The publishing information would look like this:
| Writer / Composer | Artist / Composer Name | PRO | IPI / CAE | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Hodek | Tellingbeatzz | GEMA | 716014087 | 50% |
| John Smith | J. Smith | ASCAP | Artist’s IPI | 50% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
If another artist co-wrote the song equally with John, it could instead become:
| Writer / Composer | Artist / Composer Name | PRO | IPI / CAE | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Hodek | Tellingbeatzz | GEMA | 716014087 | 50% |
| John Smith | J. Smith | ASCAP | Artist’s IPI | 25% |
| Jane Doe | J. Doe | BMI | Artist’s IPI | 25% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Sign the Agreement
Once all writers and percentages have been entered, review the information carefully.
Every party should understand and agree to the splits before signing.
The artist/songwriter enters their legal name and artist/stage name, then signs and dates the document.
The Tellingbeatzz producer section is already prepared with the relevant composer information, but the document still provides a signature and date field.
Each party should keep a copy of the completed and signed split sheet for their records.
Publishing Rights vs. Master Rights
These are not the same thing.
This distinction is important.
The publishing split sheet deals with the underlying musical composition — the songwriting, composition and associated publishing rights.
It does not determine who owns the master recording.
Your master is the actual recorded version of the song, while the composition is the underlying music and songwriting embodied in that recording.
The Tellingbeatzz split sheet specifically states that it does not establish or modify ownership of the master sound recording. Master rights and other rights are instead governed by the applicable separate license or agreement between the parties.
In simple terms:
Split Sheet → Who owns the composition?
Beat License / Other Agreement → What rights do I have regarding the beat and master recording?
Keep both documents.
Why You Should Complete a Split Sheet Before Release
Publishing disputes often become much harder to resolve after a song has already been released, registered or started generating royalties.
A signed split sheet gives everyone involved a written record of what was agreed.
It can also make it easier to provide consistent ownership information when the composition is later registered with PROs, publishers, administrators, collection societies or other rights organizations — which is expressly contemplated by the Tellingbeatzz split sheet.
Agree first. Sign it. Keep a copy. Then release your music.
Download the Publishing Split Sheet
Ready to document your publishing splits?
Download the Tellingbeatzz Publishing Split Sheet, fill in your song and songwriter information, confirm that all percentages equal 100%, and have the relevant parties sign it.
Keep the completed document with your licensing and release records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a publishing split sheet?
A publishing split sheet documents how ownership of a musical composition is divided between its writers and composers. The percentages listed on the sheet should collectively equal 100%.
What is the publishing split for a Tellingbeatzz production?
For the 50/50 arrangement covered by this template, Thomas Hodek / Tellingbeatzz receives 50% of the composition, while the artist/songwriter side collectively receives the remaining 50%.
What happens if there are two artists?
Tellingbeatzz still receives 50%. The two artists divide the remaining 50% according to their agreement.
If their contributions are equal, that would typically be:
Tellingbeatzz: 50%
Artist 1: 25%
Artist 2: 25%
What if there are three or more songwriters?
The same principle applies. The Tellingbeatzz share remains 50%, while the other writers divide their collective 50% according to their agreed songwriting ownership.
Always make sure the final percentages equal 100%.
Do the artists have to divide their 50% equally?
Not necessarily.
If several artists or songwriters contributed to the song, they can determine how their collective 50% should be divided based on their agreement and contributions.
For example, two writers could agree to 30% and 20% rather than 25% each.
What if I am the only artist and songwriter?
If you are the only songwriter in addition to Tellingbeatzz, the split under this arrangement is straightforward:
You: 50%
Thomas Hodek / Tellingbeatzz: 50%
What does PRO mean?
PRO stands for Performing Rights Organization. These organizations administer certain rights and collect/distribute certain royalties associated with musical compositions.
Examples include GEMA, ASCAP, BMI and PRS.
What is an IPI / CAE number?
An IPI/CAE number is an identifier associated with songwriters, composers and other music rights holders. If you are registered with a PRO, check your account or repertoire information for the correct number.
What if I don’t have a PRO or IPI number yet?
Don’t enter made-up information. You can leave the relevant information blank or indicate that you are currently not affiliated, then provide the correct information once available where appropriate.
Does signing the split sheet give Tellingbeatzz 50% of my master?
No.
The split sheet addresses the underlying musical composition and publishing/songwriting rights. It expressly does not establish or modify ownership of the master sound recording.
Is the split sheet the same as my beat license?
No.
The split sheet records the agreed songwriting and publishing ownership of the composition. Your applicable Tellingbeatzz license or other separate agreement governs rights that are not addressed by the split sheet, including applicable master-related rights.
When should I complete the split sheet?
Ideally, complete it before releasing and registering the finished song, once everyone involved has agreed on the songwriting splits.
Does everyone need to sign it?
The purpose of the document is to create a written record of the parties’ agreement. The template therefore includes signature and date fields for the artist/songwriter and producer/composer.
Should I keep a copy?
Yes. Each party should retain a completed copy alongside the relevant beat license and other documentation relating to the release.
Can I use this split sheet for multiple songs?
Use a separate split sheet for each composition. That keeps the title, instrumental, writers and percentages clearly associated with the correct song.