Music Distribution Agreement

Estimated Reading Time: 12-15 minutes | Last Updated: August 2026 (Version 2.0)

Welcome to the Sugo Music Group Music Distribution Agreement.

We believe distribution agreements should be clear, transparent, and easy to understand. This Agreement outlines the terms under which Sugo Music Group distributes sound recordings worldwide. Before reviewing the Agreement, we've provided a brief overview and answers to common questions to help you better understand its purpose.

This page is intended to provide a helpful overview of the Music Distribution Agreement and answers to common questions about music distribution. Please review the complete Agreement below, as it contains the full terms and conditions governing your relationship with Sugo Music Group.

Why Artists Choose This Music Distribution Agreement

✓ Agreement Type: Exclusive Distribution
✓ Territory: Worldwide
✓ Ownership: You Retain 100% Ownership
✓ Initial Term: 2 Years
✓ Royalty Share: 70% of Revenue Received
✓ Detailed Royalty Statements: Quarterly
✓ Professional Customer Support
✓ Setup Fee: None
✓ Annual Fee: None
✓ Publishing Setup Fee: None
✓ YouTube Content ID Fee: None
✓ Cover Song Administration Fee: None

Why This Agreement Is Different

We believe legal agreements should be understandable—not intimidating.

That's why we've designed this Agreement to be concise, written in plain language, and accompanied by educational explanations and frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help artists understand their rights, not simply ask them to sign a contract.

Music Distribution Agreement Highlights:

Simple and Transparent Agreement – This Music Distribution Agreement has been designed to be concise, easy to understand, and written in plain language while clearly defining the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
Worldwide Digital Distribution – Your master recordings are distributed to leading digital music services and platforms worldwide through Sugo Music Group's global distribution network.
You Keep Ownership – You retain ownership and copyright of your master recordings. This Agreement grants Sugo Music Group the exclusive right to distribute and administer your recordings during the term of the Agreement.
No Hidden Fees – No upfront cost, fees, services. No Annual Subscription Fee; No Single or Album Submission Fee; No Publishing Setup Fee; No YouTube Content ID Fee; No Social Media Registry Fee; No Cover Song License Fee.
70% Revenue Share - You receive 70% of the revenue received by Sugo Music Group from the digital distribution and licensing of your recordings, as outlined in the Agreement.
Detailed Quarterly Royalty Statements and Payments – Royalty statements are issued quarterly, with payments made shortly after each reporting period.
Two-Year Term – The Agreement has an initial two-year term and automatically renews unless either party provides the required advance notice.
Worldwide Licensing Rights – Sugo Music Group may promote, market, distribute, license, and monetize your recordings through its worldwide network of digital partners.
Transparent Accounting – You have the right to audit royalty statements, subject to the terms of the Agreement.
Protection of Your Rights – You warrant that you own or control the rights to the recordings and have the authority to grant the rights described in the Agreement.
Important: This Agreement is exclusive with respect to digital distribution and administration during the term of the Agreement. You continue to own your master recordings and copyrights.

Artists often have questions before signing a distribution agreement—and they should. We've answered the most common questions below to help you better understand how the Agreement works and why we've structured it the way we have. If you don't find the answer you're looking for, we're always happy to help.

Music Distribution Agreement FAQs:

Are there any setup fees, annual fees, or hidden costs?

No. Sugo Music Group is committed to transparent pricing. Unlike many digital music distributors that charge upfront fees or recurring subscription costs, Sugo Music Group does not charge:

No upfront setup fee
No annual subscription fee
No single or album submission fee
No publishing setup fee
No YouTube Content ID fee
No social media registry fee
No cover song license administration fee*

Instead of charging multiple service fees, Sugo Music Group shares in your success. Under this Agreement, you receive 70% of the revenue received by Sugo Music Group from the digital distribution and licensing of your master recordings, as provided in Exhibit B of the Agreement.

Our goal is to provide professional music distribution and related services through a straightforward, transparent revenue-sharing model without unexpected or recurring service charges.

Why doesn't Sugo charge upfront fees?

Unlike many distributors that charge before a release is delivered, Sugo's model aligns our success with yours. We invest in preparing, distributing, and supporting your music, and we earn revenue only when your music generates revenue.

What is the purpose of this Music Distribution Agreement?

This Agreement authorizes Sugo Music Group to distribute, market, license, and monetize your master recordings through digital music services and other authorized distribution partners worldwide, while you retain ownership of your recordings.

Do I keep ownership of my master recordings?

Yes. You retain ownership and copyright of your master recordings. This Agreement grants Sugo Music Group the exclusive right to distribute and administer your recordings during the term of the Agreement, but ownership remains with you. For additional information about copyright ownership and registration, visit the U.S. Copyright Office.

What does "exclusive" mean in this Agreement?

"Exclusive" means that, during the term of the Agreement, Sugo Music Group is the exclusive distributor and administrator of the master recordings covered by the Agreement. It does not transfer ownership of your copyrights, and you continue to own your master recordings.

Exclusive distribution also helps prevent distribution conflicts. Digital music services (DSPs) generally expect each sound recording to be distributed through a single authorized distributor. Delivering the same recording through multiple distributors can create conflicts involving ownership, metadata, royalty reporting, duplicate releases, and takedown requests. By appointing a single exclusive distributor, these issues are minimized, helping ensure accurate distribution, royalty accounting, and rights management.

Can I terminate the Music Distribution Agreement?

Yes. The Music Distribution Agreement has an initial term of two (2) years. After the initial term, the Agreement automatically renews unless the Rights Holder provides written notice to Sugo Music Group at least ninety (90) days before the renewal date, as described in the Agreement.

The two-year term reflects Sugo Music Group's long-term partnership approach. Unlike many distributors that charge upfront setup fees, annual subscription fees, or other service fees, Sugo invests significant time and resources in preparing, quality-controlling, distributing, and, when applicable, administering the publishing of each release without charging those upfront costs.

Our success is tied directly to yours—we earn revenue only when your music generates revenue. The two-year term gives both the Rights Holder and Sugo Music Group sufficient time to maximize distribution, royalty generation, and synchronization opportunities while realizing the full value of everyone's efforts and investment.

If your master recordings are licensed for synchronization during the term of the Agreement, those licenses will continue for the duration of the applicable synchronization license, as provided in the Agreement.

How long is the Music Distribution Agreement?

The initial term is two (2) years and automatically renews unless either party provides the required notice before renewal, as described in the Agreement.

What information is included in my royalty statements?

Sugo Music Group is committed to providing detailed and transparent royalty reporting. Your royalty statements are designed to help you clearly understand how your recordings are performing and where your earnings are generated.

Depending on the data provided by our digital distribution partners, your royalty statements may include detailed reporting such as:

Individual songs and releases
Streaming and download activity
Digital service providers (DSPs)
Countries and territories
Products and release formats
Royalty types and revenue sources
Reporting periods
Units, streams, and earnings

We believe artists and rights holders should have meaningful insight into the performance of their catalog. Our detailed royalty reporting provides the transparency needed to track revenue, evaluate release performance, and better understand your worldwide distribution activity.

Please note that the level of detail available may vary depending on the reporting provided by individual digital service providers and licensing partners.

Can my music be licensed for film, television, or advertising?

Yes. The Agreement allows Sugo Music Group to license your recordings for synchronization opportunities when applicable. Existing synchronization licenses continue according to their own terms.

Does Sugo Music Group offer Content ID?

Yes. Sugo Music Group offers YouTube Content ID administration for eligible recordings to help rights holders identify, manage, and monetize the use of their music across YouTube.

YouTube Content ID automatically scans uploaded videos for matching audio and allows eligible rights holders to claim and monetize qualifying uses of their recordings, subject to YouTube's policies and eligibility requirements.

Unlike many distributors that charge an additional fee for YouTube Content ID, Sugo Music Group does not charge a separate YouTube Content ID setup or administration fee. Content ID is included as part of our distribution services for eligible recordings.

Please note that not all recordings qualify for YouTube Content ID. Eligibility is determined by YouTube's Content ID policies and requires that the recordings be original, owned or controlled by the Rights Holder, and free from conflicting claims or licensing restrictions. Sugo Music Group reviews submissions to help ensure they meet these requirements before delivery. To learn more about how YouTube Content ID works, visit the YouTube Content ID Help Center.

Can Sugo Music Group distribute Dolby Atmos releases?

Yes. Sugo Music Group distributes eligible Dolby Atmos releases to digital music services that support immersive audio formats. If you have a Dolby Atmos mix, our team can help ensure it is properly prepared and delivered to participating digital service providers.

Where are my recordings distributed?

Your recordings may be distributed worldwide through Sugo Music Group's network of digital music services, online retailers, streaming platforms, mobile services, and other authorized distribution affiliates.

When will my music appear on Spotify and Apple Music?

Release times vary by DSP. We recommend submitting your release well in advance of your desired release date to allow for review, processing, and delivery.

Can I distribute previously released music?

Yes. Sugo Music Group accepts both new releases and previously released recordings, provided you own or control the necessary rights to the master recordings and have the legal authority to enter into the Music Distribution Agreement.

If your recordings are currently distributed by another distributor or remain subject to another distribution agreement, those arrangements should be properly terminated before transferring your catalog to Sugo Music Group. This helps prevent conflicts involving ownership, metadata, royalty reporting, duplicate releases, and takedown requests with digital service providers (DSPs).

What happens if I upload music that I don't own?

You must own or control the rights to all recordings submitted under this Agreement. Unauthorized, infringing, or fraudulent content may be removed, and royalties relating to such content may be withheld as provided in the Agreement.

Can Sugo Music Group remove my recordings?

Yes. To protect artists, rights holders, digital service providers, and the integrity of the distribution platform, recordings that violate copyright laws, platform policies, or the Agreement may be removed.

Which digital music services do you distribute to?

Sugo Music Group distributes to leading digital music services worldwide, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Pandora, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and many others through our worldwide distribution network.

How do I get started?

Getting started is easy. Simply create a Sugo Music Group account, upload your music and release information through your Account Dashboard, complete the required documentation, and our team will review your release for distribution. If you have questions at any point, we're here to help.

Download the Music Distribution Agreement

Prefer an offline copy or want to print the Agreement? Download the complete PDF version below.

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Complete Music Distribution Agreement:

Agreement Introduction

This Exclusive Master Use License Agreement (“Agreement”) is by and between SUGO MUSIC GROUP, a division of Soundlink Entertainment LLC, located at 80 Cabrillo Highway N., Suite Q-429, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 USA (“Licensee”), and You (“Rights Holder”), as entered in this Agreement.

Section 1. Grant of License

Rights Holder grants Licensee the rights to distribute, broadcast, sell, license, and administer (“Distribute”) sound recordings and audiovisual recordings (“Masters”) that are owned or controlled by Rights Holder as such provided in Exhibit A (“Exhibit A”), in whole or in part direct to online, mobile, digital, electronic, satellite, and wireless service providers, channels, platforms, and retailers (“Distribution Affiliates”) that sell, copy, distribute, transmit, perform, synchronize or otherwise monetize Masters by any and all transmissions, media, and communication technologies (“Media”).

Section 2. Consideration

In consideration for the licensing of the Masters, Licensee shall pay a royalty (“Payment”) to Rights Holder as provided in Exhibit B (“Exhibit B”).

Section 3. Accounting, Statements, Payments

Statement of Account (“Statement”) will be submitted by Licensee to Rights Holder on a quarterly-annual basis by January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each calendar year. Payments shall be delivered to the address provided herein and will be sent to Rights Holder within 15 days after Statement is delivered. If the payment date falls on a weekend, the Payment will be sent on the following Monday or next business workday. Any Statement balance due under US$10.00 shall be rolled into the following quarter and paid only when the balance exceeds US$10.00. Payment is contingent on Licensee’s receipt of Rights Holder’s tax forms.

For Non-USA Rights Holders, Licensee will use its reasonable efforts to collect taxes owed on the royalties generated from the distribution and sale of Masters, and to remit tax payments on behalf of the Rights Holder to relevant government authorities.

Statement shall be subject to an audit by Rights Holder, but not more than once in each twelve (12) month period, at Licensee’s principal place of business during normal business hours on no less than thirty (30) days prior written notice. Any objections to Statement or Payment submitted to Rights Holder shall be made within one (1) year of their submission, or all objections shall be barred.

Section 4. Ownership of Masters

Nothing in this Agreement shall limit Rights Holder’s ownership rights to the Masters. Rights Holder shall retain all copyrights and ownership rights of Masters, with respect to grant this license to Licensee under this Agreement.

Section 5. Term

The term of this Agreement shall be two (2) years (“Term”) and will automatically renew unless notice is given to Licensee at least 90 days prior to the renewal date. If the Rights Holder's Master Recordings are licensed for synchronization in film, television, advertising, or other commercial productions during the Term of this Agreement, those licenses will continue for the duration of the applicable synchronization license, but only with respect to the specific productions covered by that license.

Section 6. Scope of Licensee's Rights

Licensee shall have the exclusive and universal right to Distribute Masters through Distribution Affiliates and Media, including promoting, marketing, advertising, performing, monetizing, and licensing the Masters.

Section 7. Rights Holder Warranty

Rights Holder warrants that it: is free to enter into this Agreement; is not under any commitments or restrictions, contractual or otherwise, with third parties whose services, content, or licenses are embodied on the Masters, that prohibit or restrict Rights Holder’s commitments and grant of rights to Licensee under this Agreement; has not sold, assigned, leased, or licensed Masters, or encumbered the rights granted to Licensee pursuant to this Agreement, and none of the services, nor the services of anyone else retained by Rights Holder to perform on or provide work for the Masters, nor the use of Rights Holder’s name and trademark, nor the use of the name and images of the musicians and producers whose services are embodied on the Masters, shall interfere or infringe with the rights of any other party, including without limitation, contract rights, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, logos, and rights of privacy and publicity, nor shall the Masters, their title, or contents constitute a libel or a slander of any person.

To protect the integrity of our platform and partners, Licensee reserves the right to remove any Master or suspend the Rights Holder's account if fraudulent, infringing, or unauthorized activity is identified. Royalties resulting from plagiarized, infringing, or unlicensed use of the Masters will not be paid. Any related costs, chargebacks, or liabilities incurred by Licensee may be deducted from any amounts otherwise payable to the Rights Holder.

Section 8. General

This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between Licensee and Rights Holder, and supersedes all prior agreements between both parties, whether oral or written, relating to the Masters, and may not be modified except in writing signed by both parties. This Agreement will be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and delivered by facsimile or via E-Agreement, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Exhibit A

Masters will be delivered to Licensee’s Account Dashboard or FTP site (Licensee shall provide easy-to-use login access to Account Dashboard or FTP).

Exhibit B

A. BASIC ROYALTY AND LICENSING PAYMENT

For all income received from the distribution and exploitation of Masters that are generated from digital streams, digital downloads, synchronization, and other distributions, domestic and foreign, a sum equivalent to seventy percent (70%) of the income received by Licensee shall be paid to Rights Holder.

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Additional Resources

Questions About the Music Distribution Agreement?

If you have questions before signing the Agreement, our team is happy to help explain any provision or discuss your distribution needs.

Contact Sugo Music Group: [email protected]