Document background
The Music Publishing Contract serves as the foundational agreement between creators of musical works and publishing companies in Belgium. It is essential when a songwriter or composer wishes to professionally exploit their musical works through a publisher's services. The contract must comply with Belgian copyright law, which provides strong protection for authors' moral rights, and relevant EU regulations. This agreement typically covers grant of rights, exploitation terms, revenue sharing, collection society relationships, and publisher obligations. It's particularly important to note that under Belgian law, certain moral rights cannot be waived, and the contract must reflect this. The document should be used when establishing new publishing relationships or renewing existing ones, and requires careful consideration of both current and future exploitation methods, including digital platforms.
