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Collaboration agreement template
A free collaboration agreement template for creators and small businesses making something together, such as a joint video series, a product drop or a course. Agree who does what, who pays for what, how revenue is split and who owns the result, before the work starts.
For creator collabs and joint projects between small businesses. The sections that prevent most disputes are the revenue split, who collects the money, and what happens to the project if one of you leaves.
What this contract covers
- The project
- Contributions
- Costs
- Revenue split
- Credit
- Ownership
- Ending the collaboration
- Confidentiality
This template is a starting point written in plain English, not legal advice. Laws differ by state and country, so have a lawyer review it for large or unusual deals.
The full template
1. Parties
This agreement is between [name] ("Collaborator A") and [name] ("Collaborator B") for the project [project name], starting on [date].
2. The project
The collaborators will create [describe the project, e.g. a 4-part video series] to be released on [platforms] by [date].
3. Contributions
Collaborator A will: [responsibilities]. Collaborator B will: [responsibilities]. Major decisions about the project, such as release dates, pricing and partners, need both collaborators' agreement.
4. Costs
Agreed costs, such as [production, travel or ads], will be shared [50/50 or other split]. Neither collaborator will spend more than [amount] on the project without the other's written approval.
5. Revenue split
Net revenue from the project, meaning revenue minus the agreed costs above, will be split [50/50 or other split]. [Collaborator A/B] will collect the revenue and pay the other's share within [30] days of each month's end, with a statement showing the figures.
6. Credit
Both collaborators will be credited as [agreed credit, e.g. "a collaboration between A and B"] wherever the project is published or promoted.
7. Ownership
Work created jointly for the project is owned by both collaborators in equal shares [or other split]. Each collaborator keeps sole ownership of anything they brought to the project or made outside it, and grants the project a licence to use it for the project's lifetime.
8. Ending the collaboration
Either collaborator may leave with [30] days' written notice. Revenue earned before leaving is still split as above. [Describe what happens to the published project and future revenue.]
9. Confidentiality
Each party will keep the other's non-public business information confidential and use it only for this agreement. This does not cover information that is already public, independently developed, or that must be disclosed by law.
10. General
This agreement is governed by the laws of [state/country]. Any change to it must be in writing and signed by both parties.
This is the entire agreement between the parties about this work and replaces any earlier discussions. If any part is found unenforceable, the rest still applies.
11. Signatures
Collaborator A: [Name], [Title, if a company] — Signature: ____________________ Date: __________
Collaborator B: [Name] — Signature: ____________________ Date: __________
When the work is done
Invoice it the same way the contract describes it. The content creator invoice template matches this contract's payment terms line for line, and the free invoice generator turns it into a PDF or a share link in a minute. Need to agree a price first? Send a quote with the quote & estimate generator.
Frequently asked questions
What should a collaboration agreement include?
The project, each collaborator's contributions, how costs are shared, how revenue is split and paid out, credit, who owns the work, and what happens if one collaborator leaves.
How should creators split revenue from a collab?
Any split works if it's agreed in writing up front. Many collabs split net revenue equally after agreed costs, with one collaborator collecting the money and paying out the other's share on a schedule.
Who owns work made in a collaboration?
Under this template, jointly created work is owned by both collaborators in agreed shares, and each keeps sole ownership of what they brought to the project.
Is this collaboration agreement template free?
Yes. Download it free for Word or PDF with no signup and edit the bracketed sections.
Is this template legal advice?
No. It's a plain-English starting point, so have a lawyer review it for significant projects.