Depending on how you look at it, you could use either a collaboration agreement or perhaps a work for hire agreement for your contribution.

If you are rewriting lyrics and melody, that classifies you as a co-writer. So you may want to approach it from that POV. On a work for hire, they pay you for your work and then you sign ALL of your rights to the song to them in exchange for the paycheck. In those agreements, you want to be sure they also take all responsibility and liability since you were only a paid musician on a track or two.

You can google this easily and find a bunch of templates that will fit which ever solution you need. Find one or two you like and download them. Edit them as needed.

Since you are concerned that they might be using copyrighted material as a starting point and the possibility of a law suit, be sure to include a clause exempting you from liability. Chances are good though that you would still be named in a suit if it ever came to that.

Here's a sample: WORK FOR HIRE AGREEMENT

If you do not understand a clause, be sure you get someone who knows, to explain it, because you do not want to sign something you don't understand.

You can also google your keywords "COMPOSER/ARRANGER/Contract" and look through the options.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 02/09/17 02:55 AM.
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