● STRATEGIC REVIEW · NOT LEGAL REPRESENTATION
A publishing offer is on the table. Great offer or bad deal? Find out before you sign.
The Publishing Contract Quick Scan is a fast, fixed-fee commercial review of your deal. In plain English: what kind of deal it really is, where the red flags are, what’s negotiable, and whether you should sign, push back, or call a lawyer.
◷ Turnaround in days, not weeks ✓ Fixed fee, no hourly surprises ◇ Confidential by default
QUICK SCAN — SUMMARYCO-PUB
● Term + options run ~9 years
Two label-side option periods — negotiate down.
Two label-side option periods — negotiate down.
● Rights granted: worldwide, all media
Standard, but check reversion triggers.
Standard, but check reversion triggers.
● Cross-collateralised advances
Red flag — try to ring-fence per period.
Red flag — try to ring-fence per period.
● Writer share: 75/25 split
Market-normal for this deal type.
Market-normal for this deal type.
Verdict: Negotiable. Three terms worth pushing on before you sign — full notes inside.
15 yrs
IN PUBLISHING
10+ yrs
ARTIST MANAGEMENT
● WHO THIS IS FOR
For writers who want to understand the deal behind the opportunity.
If a publisher has offered you a deal and you’re not sure what you’re really agreeing to, this is for you. No team required.
01
First-deal writers
You’ve been offered your first publishing or co-publishing deal and the language is dense. You want to understand the trade-offs before you commit years of your catalogue.
02
Writers with leverage, no team
You have momentum and an offer worth taking seriously, but no manager or lawyer in your corner yet. You need a sharp second read before you respond.
03
Writers who want expert advice
You want an independent publishing expert to review your offer, giving you a clear second opinion before you decide.
● HOW IT WORKS
Four steps. One clear recommendation.
01
Answer the intake
A few focused questions about your catalogue, income, deadline, and the outcome you want.
02
Upload the contract
Send the offer as a PDF or Word file through the secure intake. Drafts and redlines welcome.
03
Receive the scan
A concise written summary: deal type, red flags, negotiable terms, and what’s market-normal.
04
Choose your next step
Sign with confidence, negotiate with our support, or escalate to a qualified music lawyer.
● WHAT WE REVIEW
The terms that determine who earns, owns and controls what.
What looks like fine print can shape your entire career. We flag what’s market-normal, what’s negotiable, and what’s a genuine red flag.
- Deal type — admin, co-pub, or full publishing
- Term length & option periods
- Rights granted & scope
- Ownership vs. control of copyrights
- Advance structure & payment schedule
- Royalty splits & income definitions
- Recoupment & cross-collateralisation
- Exclusivity & delivery commitments
- Options & how they extend the term
- Territory & sub-publishing
- Reversion, audit & termination rights
- Red flags & concrete negotiation points
● START YOUR SCAN
Tell us about the deal.
A short, focused intake. The more context you give, the sharper the scan. Everything you share is treated as confidential.
◇ Confidential intake ◷ ~5 minutes
● WHAT YOU RECEIVE
A clear overview. An honest assessment. A confident next step.
No 40-page legal memo. A tight, readable document that tells you what matters and what to do about it.
01
A concise written summary
What type of deal this is, in plain language, and how its key terms compare to what’s market-normal.
02
The red flags, ranked
The clauses that could cost you most — explained clearly, with why they matter and how exposed you are.
03
Negotiation opportunities
The specific terms worth pushing on, with realistic framing for what’s achievable in a deal like yours.
● THE OFFER
Fixed-fee, no hourly rate.
Choose a clear written scan or add a personal strategy call. One fixed price, with no unexpected costs.
QUICK SCAN
The core strategic review of your offer, delivered as a concise written scan.
€99 / flat
- Full deal-type assessment
- Red flags + negotiable terms
- Clear sign / negotiate / escalate call
- Standard turnaround
QUICK SCAN + STRATEGY CALL
The scan, plus a live call to talk through your options and how to respond.
€299 / flat
- Everything in Quick Scan
- 45-min strategy call
- Response-framing guidance
- Priority scheduling
Complex catalogues or multi-deal reviews: price on request.
● IF YOU NEED MORE
The scan is the start. Take it as far as the deal needs.
Most writers get clarity from the scan alone. When a deal warrants more, the next steps are ready.
RUSH TURNAROUND
Move your scan to the front of the queue when the contract needs an answer this week.
+ €99
NEGOTIATION STRATEGY CALL
A focused call to map your priorities and how to frame your counter before you respond.
€250
NEGOTIATION SUPPORT
Hands-on help shaping your asks and language as you work through the back-and-forth.
Price on request
LAWYER REFERRAL & ESCALATION
When a deal needs formal legal review, we point you to a qualified entertainment lawyer.
Referral
● WHO'S BEHIND THE SCAN
Every scan backed by 15 years at the deal table.
Maktub Media and Maktub Music Publishing have been operating for around 15 years, with more than a decade of artist management experience.
That also includes label experience and active, day-to-day involvement in publishing and sync-focused strategy.
That also includes label experience and active, day-to-day involvement in publishing and sync-focused strategy.
This is a strategic and commercial review grounded in real deal-making, not a substitute for formal legal advice.
~15
Years
Operating in publishing
10+
Years
Artist management experience
LABEL
Experience
Operational & launch expertise
SYNC
Focus
Active licensing & strategy
● QUESTIONS
The honest answers.
No. The Quick Scan is a strategic and commercial review. It is not legal representation or formal legal advice.
Songwriters, producers, artists, and independent creators who have received a publishing offer and want a fast, expert read before they sign.
Administration deals, co-publishing deals, and full publishing deals — single-song or catalogue.
You receive a concise written summary. From there you can act on it yourself, book a strategy call, add negotiation support, or escalate to a lawyer.
Yes — as an optional next step. A strategy call and commercial negotiation support are available.
If the scan surfaces issues that genuinely need legal counsel, we will say so directly and can refer you to a qualified entertainment lawyer.
Publishing Contract Quick Scan — a fast, strategic read of your deal before you sign.
A note on scope. This is a strategic and commercial review service. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer–client relationship.
© Maktub Media · Maktub Music Publishing