Free Band Partnership Agreement

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Band Partnership Agreement

What's your band's name?


What's your band's name?





Your Band Partnership Agreement

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BAND PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

THIS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made and entered into this ________ day of ________________, ________ (the "Execution Date"),

  1. BETWEEN
    ___________________ of ___________________
    and
    ___________________ of ___________________
    (individually the "Member" and collectively the "Members").

  2. BACKGROUND:

  3. The Members wish to associate themselves as members of a musical band for the purposes of musical and related musical entertainment activities including, but not limited to, performing and recording of songs.
  4. The terms and conditions of this Agreement sets out the terms and conditions as to how they will be partners.

IN CONSIDERATION OF and as a condition of the Members entering into this Agreement and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement agree as follows:

  1. Formation
  2. By this Agreement the Members enter into a general partnership (the "Band") in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The rights and obligations of the Members will be as stated in the applicable legislation of the Commonwealth of Virginia (the "Act") except as otherwise provided here.
  3. Name
  4. The name of the Band will be ___________________ (the "Band Name"). The Band leader will be Unnamed Member #1 (the "Band Leader").
  5. Term
  6. The Band partnership will begin on the 19th day of March, 2024 and will continue until terminated as provided in this Agreement.
  7. Place of Business
  8. The principal office of the Band will be located at ___________________ or such other place as the Members may from time to time designate.
  9. Capital Assets
  10. Musical instruments provided and used by any Member in order to facilitate the purpose of the Band will remain property in the name of the individual Member. This property will not be used as collateral for any Band debt or obligation nor included as capital assets on the books of the Band unless reasonable consideration is provided by the Band to the individual Member.
  11. Profit and Loss
  12. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the net profits and losses of the Band, for both accounting and tax purposes, will be distributed between the Members according to the following schedule:

    ___________________

    ______%

    ___________________

    ______%

  13. Books of Account
  14. Accurate and complete books of account of the transactions of the Band will be kept and at all reasonable times be available and open to inspection and examination by any Member. The Books of Account will be kept on the cash basis method of accounting.
  15. Annual Report
  16. As soon as practicable after the close of each fiscal year, the Band will furnish to each Member an annual report showing a full and complete account of the condition of the Band including all information as will be necessary for the preparation of each Member's income or other tax returns.
  17. Fiscal Year
  18. The fiscal year for the Band will end on the ______ day of ________________ of each year.
  19. Contracting Authority
  20. Under no circumstance is any Member other than the Band Leader authorized to bind the Band in contract.
  21. Management
  22. All Members have a right to participate in Band decisions. All Band decisions will be determined with a majority vote except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The following activities require the unanimous written consent of the Members:
    1. Varying the terms of this Agreement.
    2. Incurring a single expense greater than ______ US dollars.
    3. Entering into Band obligations that will continue for a period greater than one year.
    4. Borrowing or lending money in any amount.
    5. Any transaction that affects ownership or possession of Band property.
    6. Check-signing rights.
  23. Addition of a Band Member
  24. Each new Member must agree to be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement. The addition of a new Member will not end the Band partnership, which will remain in full force. The addition of a new Member requires the unanimous agreement of the existing Members of the Band.
  25. Withdrawal of a Member
  26. A Member may leave the Band voluntarily or involuntarily by reason of death, incapacity, disability, by being expelled, or for any reason resulting in the Member being unable to reasonably perform or execute their role in the Band (an "Involuntary Withdrawal"). A Member can be expelled by a majority vote of the other Members.  A Member that leaves voluntarily will provide __________ notice in writing.
  27. If a Member leaves the Band voluntarily or involuntarily then that Member loses the right to use the Band Name. All parties agree that upon leaving the Band the leaving Member is not entitled to any compensation for value of the Band Name. The leaving Member may only use the Band Name to show their musical credits or to show their previous affiliation to the Band.
  28. A leaving Member is entitled to payment equal to the Profit & Loss share of the leaving Member's portion of the value of the Band as determined in the "Valuation of Interest" section of this Agreement. No interest is payable for amounts owing under this section. If the Band's debts are greater than its assets at the time of withdrawal or the leaving Member's portion is an amount owing to the Band then the Member agrees to pay the outstanding amount within 90 days of receiving the assessment. The leaving Member is entitled to continue receiving royalties and any other income resulting from any recordings made while the leaving Member was a member of the Band less any related and proportionate expenses. The leaving Member's recording royalties will only be payable once the Band has actually received payment. Members who have joined the Band at some time subsequent to the original inception of the Band must perform some minimum period of service with the Band, to be agreed in writing at the time the new Member is added to the Band, before the benefits and obligations of this section will be applicable.
  29. Dissolution of the Band
  30. On withdrawal of one or more Members, the Band will remain in full force unless only one Member would remain. The Band may be dissolved by a ______ percent vote of the Members.
  31. Participation in Non-Band Activities
  32. Each Member may participate in other musical ventures including as a member of any other group or groups where this participation does not interfere with the obligations of the Member to the Band as outlined in this Agreement and where the participation does not affect the abilities of the Band to function as intended by this Agreement. The individual Member will retain all rights and benefits from its participation in any non-Band activities and the Band and all other Band Members will have no entitlement to the rights and benefits gained in relation to those activities. Any performing with another band or engagement that interferes with the schedule of the Band may lead to the Involuntary Withdrawal of the Member if necessary.
  33. Valuation of Interest
  34. In the absence of a written agreement setting a value, the value of the Band will be based on the fair market value appraisal of all Band assets (less liabilities) determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting procedures by an independent accounting firm agreed to by all Members. Each Member is entitled to a portion of the Band's value proportionate to the Member's Profit & Loss share. Each Member's interest will be less any outstanding liabilities that Member may have to the Band.
  35. No allowance will be made for goodwill, trade name, patents or other intangible assets, except where those assets have been reflected on the Band books immediately prior to valuation.
  36. Voting
  37. Any vote required will be determined such that each Member receives one vote carrying equal weight.
  38. Mediation and Arbitration
  39. In the event a dispute arises out of or in connection with this Agreement the parties will attempt to resolve the dispute through friendly consultation.
  40. If the dispute is not resolved within a reasonable period then any or all outstanding issues may be submitted to mediation in accordance with any statutory rules of mediation. If mediation is not successful in resolving the entire dispute or is unavailable, any outstanding issues will be submitted to final and binding arbitration in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The arbitrator's award will be final, and judgment may be entered upon it by any court having jurisdiction within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
  41. Jurisdiction
  42. The Members submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the enforcement of this Agreement or any arbitration award or decision arising from this Agreement.
  43. Miscellaneous
  44. Time is of the essence in this Agreement.
  45. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts. Facsimile signatures are binding and are considered to be original signatures.
  46. Headings are inserted for the convenience of the parties only and are not to be considered when interpreting this Agreement. Words in the singular mean and include the plural and vice versa. Words in the masculine gender include the feminine gender and vice versa. Words in the neuter gender include the masculine gender and the feminine gender and vice versa.
  47. If any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, it is the parties' intent that such provision be reduced in scope by the court only to the extent deemed necessary by that court to render the provision reasonable and enforceable and the remainder of the provisions of this Agreement will in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated as a result.
  48. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties. All negotiations and understandings have been included in this Agreement. Statements or representations which may have been made by any party to this Agreement in the negotiation stages of this Agreement may in some way be inconsistent with this final written Agreement. All such statements are declared to be of no value in this Agreement. Only the written terms of this Agreement will bind the parties. Amendment of this Agreement requires the unanimous consent of all Members.
  49. This Agreement and the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement apply to and are binding upon the Member's successors, assigns, executors, administrators, beneficiaries, and representatives.
  50. Any notices or delivery required here will be deemed completed when hand-delivered, delivered by agent, or seven (7) days after being placed in the post, postage prepaid, to the parties at the addresses contained in this Agreement or as the parties may later designate in writing.
  51. Unless expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, each and every one of the rights, remedies and benefits provided by this Agreement will be cumulative and will not be exclusive of any other such rights, remedies and benefits allowed by law.




IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have duly affixed their signatures under hand and seal on this ________ day of ________________, ________.

___________________
Member Name
____________________
Member Signature

___________________
Member Name
____________________
Member Signature

Last updated December 4, 2023

Written by


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What is a Band Partnership Agreement?

A Band Partnership Agreement is a contract where band members outline how their band will run. The agreement details the members’ rights and responsibilities, in addition to profit and loss distribution.

A Band Partnership Agreement is also known as a:

  • Musician collaboration contract
  • Band member agreement

Why do I need a Band Partnership Agreement?

A Band Partnership Agreement can help you avoid disputes and disagreements between members. While you can verbally agree on how your band will run, terms will be hard to enforce without evidence in writing. A written contract lets you set binding terms that can offer guidance and support in the event of disputes.

It’s especially important to create a Band Partnership Agreement because bands are business partnerships by legal definition. When partnerships don’t have some form of a Partnership Agreement, the terms are instead set by state laws.

Rather than letting standard statutes govern your band, a Band Partnership Agreement lets you set your own ground rules. Creating a tailored agreement allows you more control of the specifics, so you can customize the applicable rules to suit your band.

What does a Band Partnership Agreement cover?

A Band Partnership Agreement details most aspects of a band, such as financials, management, formation, and dissolution. Before you create and sign the agreement, you and your band members should discuss what you want the terms for these areas to look like so you can reach an agreement that benefits everyone.

A Band Partnership Agreement sets terms for the following:

  • Assets and ownership
  • Profit and loss distribution
  • Voting and management
  • Member withdrawals and additions
  • Member responsibilities
  • Band formation and dissolution 

The agreement will govern how revenue from performing or recording music gets split between members. In the event that the band breaks up or someone leaves the band, the agreement can also describe how members will share profits and assets, including the band’s name, equipment, and intellectual properties.

How do I create a Band Partnership Agreement?

Before you create your Band Partnership Agreement, you should have an open discussion with all active band members. Consider things like profit and loss distribution, voting, and management issues. Preparation will make the creation process easier for everyone. 

Then, complete the following five steps to create your contract:

1. Provide band details

Include band information like the formation date, name, and address. If your band doesn’t have its own address, you can use the address of a band member or the premises you use for practice.

Make sure you name the state you will be operating in. Because different jurisdictions have their own laws and legal requirements, the state you choose to complete your agreement under will decide which state law governs your band.

2. Include member information

List names and addresses of all band members. You should also note the percentages of profits and losses each member will be responsible for. If you want the band to have a leader, choose which member will have the leadership role.

3. Outline voting details

Voting can be on a one-vote-per-member basis or by profit share. If any member has a tie-breaking vote, name them. You should also decide who has the authority to bind the band in contracts and what percentage a vote must meet to pass.

4. Add accounting information

Choose the band’s accounting method, which can be done on either cash or accrual basis.

  • Cash basis means that any spending or income is recorded upon receipt or payment, regardless of when it occurs.
  • Accrual basis means that any spending or income is recorded as it occurs, regardless of the actual date of receipt or payment.

Next, decide your fiscal year-end date, which will set your band’s tax year. You can choose to follow the calendar year and set the end date for December 31st, or you can choose any other date. 

You will also need to settle on the maximum amount a member can spend on behalf of the band without consent from other members. Any expense that exceeds this amount has to be discussed and voted on by the group.

5. Detail management issues

There are only a few more details you need to finish up your Band Partnership Agreement. All of these are important decisions that can significantly impact your band. Ensure all band members understand these terms before you complete and sign the agreement.

  • Joining or leaving the band: Choose if adding a new member demands a unanimous or majority vote. You should also decide how much notice a member should give before leaving the band.
  • Band breakup: Note the percentage of votes needed to dissolve the band. Decide if some members are so vital that their departure will automatically break up the band. You will also need to settle what happens to the band’s name after you disband.
  • Mediation/arbitration: Setting terms for handling conflict can help guide your band through internal disputes. Disputes can go directly to arbitration, where an impartial arbitrator settles the dispute. Alternatively, you can attempt mediation before arbitration, where you first try to resolve the dispute with a neutral mediator.

Updating or changing a Band Partnership

In some situations, you may need to update or change your Band Partnership Agreement. If any of the members or terms of the band change, you can do this by using a Partnership Amendment

Some situations where you might need to change the agreement include:

  • A new person entering into the band
  • An existing member leaving the band
  • Changes in accounting policies
  • Profit and loss distribution changes

After you have created and signed the amendment, you should attach it to the original Band Partnership Agreement.

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