Why Is KOSIGN's Contract the Most Flexible in Music Publishing?
1. Introduction: Flexibility and Simplicity at the Core
KOSIGN’s admin agreement is built for maximum flexibility and simplicity, making it the ideal solution for artists seeking top-tier global publishing admin without long-term commitments. KOSIGN members get full access to Kobalt’s industry-leading admin, collection, and transparency tools—while retaining complete freedom to leave anytime.
“Our goal is to create the most flexible publishing admin contract in the industry. We want songwriters to choose how they use the platform—whether for the short or long term—while collecting their publishing royalties with the best tools available,” explains Jacob Paul, Director of Music Publishing at Kobalt.
“With KOSIGN, you no longer have to choose between the flexibility of your agreement and the quality of your publishing admin. You can have the best of both worlds.”
By eliminating complicated contracts and restrictive terms, KOSIGN lets songwriters focus on what matters most—making music.
2. Rolling Term, No Lock-Ins — Real Flexibility
Quarterly Rolling Term, No Retention Period
One of KOSIGN’s defining features is its quarterly rolling term, allowing members to leave anytime, with termination taking effect at the end of the quarter.
“PROs generally update administrator status quarterly,” explains Paul. “So structuring our agreement this way maximizes flexibility for KOSIGN members while ensuring a smooth transition between publishers.”
Unlike other admin deals that impose multi-year commitments or exit restrictions, KOSIGN has no retention period—meaning songwriters can move their catalog elsewhere the moment their term ends.
“We obviously welcome members to stay long-term,” adds Paul, “but we genuinely want KOSIGN to be a flexible tool that evolves with an artist’s career.”
3. The Most Transparent Pricing in Music Publishing
Flat 20% Fee
KOSIGN offers a straightforward pricing structure with an 80/20 split in favor of the songwriter. As David Waite, Chief of Staff at Kobalt, explains, “We charge a flat 20% across all income types. Unlike traditional publishing deals, which often have complicated fee structures based on territories and rights, Kosign’s fee is simple and fixed.”
This flat 20% fee is applied globally, without any additional hidden charges or complex calculations based on different types of income. As Waite points out, “You don’t have to be a trained lawyer to understand the terms — every dollar we collect, you get 80 cents, and we retain 20.”
The simplicity and consistency of this fee structure make KOSIGN an attractive option for songwriters who want clear, predictable terms without the stress of negotiating complex deals based on territories or right types.
4. Total Control Over Your Catalog
Complete Song-by-Song Flexibility
KOSIGN gives songwriters full control over which songs they submit for global collection.
“You’re never required to submit your full catalog,” says Paul. “We encourage members to register all songs that require worldwide collection, but if you need to keep certain songs elsewhere, that’s totally fine. The choice is yours.”
This song-by-song flexibility ensures artists retain complete control over their catalog while benefiting from KOSIGN’s best-in-class global publishing infrastructure on whatever songs they do deliver to KOSIGN.
Non-Exclusive Synch
KOSIGN offers a flexible non-exclusive approach to synch licensing. As Paul explains, “KOSIGN can license synch on your behalf, but you’re free to pursue your own synch deals without having to cut KOSIGN in. Members who prefer to work with exclusive third-party synch agencies can also opt out of traditional synch licensing through KOSIGN entirely.”
This setup ensures that KOSIGN members have full control over how their catalog is handled for synch, providing both simplicity and flexibility to suit different career strategies.
5. Reliable, Transparent Payments
Quarterly Payouts via Stripe
KOSIGN members receive predictable, quarterly payments, processed securely through Stripe.
“The cadence of quarterly payments for KOSIGN members is the same as any other Kobalt client—whether that’s Max Martin, Stevie Nicks, or Phoebe Bridgers,” says Paul.
“And even before payday, you can track your royalties in real time through your KOSIGN portal.”
By removing delays and ensuring transparency, KOSIGN keeps songwriters informed and in control of their earnings at all times.
6. Conclusion
The KOSIGN admin agreement proves that songwriters no longer have to choose between flexibility and high-quality publishing admin.
With no long-term commitments, a simple 80/20 split, full catalog control, and the freedom to leave anytime, KOSIGN delivers the best of both worlds—industry-leading publishing administration with total flexibility.
For artists, producers, and songwriters, this is how publishing should work.