Music Licensing Deal Memo Template

The template aims to improve process, transparency and professionalism through a detailed and credible deal memo system and mitigate the risks associated with poor process and record keeping in an area where, due to typical schedule pressures and creative decision-making sequencing, substantial commitments to tracks are routinely being made where delivery takes place prior to payment of fees and finalisation and execution of licensing agreement paperwork.

Members should note that the template is:

• Not an agreement.
• Not something that needs to be signed. Its contents can just be acknowledged by email.
• Not designed to replace any stakeholders’ existing or preferred documents, processes or ways of working.
• Not mandatory. The IPA and the GMS expect that the wider industry will welcome it and wish to use it. We hope that it becomes ubiquitous through familiarity and shared good practice.

Where publishing rights are split, iterations of the Publishing memo should be tailored for each rights holder.

Many thanks to the GMS, all the UK labels and publishers, agencies and the IPA PPG/BAG Music Subgroup for their great efforts and support in bringing this project to fruition.

Download links:

• Master Recording version
• Master Publishing version