A distribution agreement, also known as a distributor agreement, is a contract between a supplying company with products to sell and another company that markets and sells the products. The distributor agrees to buy products from the supplier company and sell them to clients within certain geographical areas.
Differences between agency and distribution An agent is appointed to negotiate or conclude contracts on the supplier's behalf. A distributor effectively becomes the supplier and contracts are made directly between the distributor and the customer.
Distribution agreements often include terms about termination conditions, allowing either party to exit the contract under specified circumstances. These contracts can also address intellectual property rights, ensuring that distributors understand how to handle branding and proprietary information.
Distributor agreements can be an effective means of selling your products. Whether the distributor helps sell goods on your behalf or expands into new territory, they can bring obvious benefits and help increase sales. Like all contract forms, generic templates are often unsuitable.
The best way to find the best deals for your needs is to research and compare different offers, different labels and distributors, which will help you get the most out of your music. Start your research by looking at the market share of a company and see companies they distribute to, among other things.
Is a music distribution deal worth it? The short answer is yes! Whether you're self-releasing with a distribution service provider, or signing a distribution deal with a record label, getting your music to market is always a huge moment.
A distributor offering services will take a percentage of gross revenue, usually 15-20%, but sometimes as high as 50%. Read the fine print of any deal you're thinking of signing and have it looked over by a reputable entertainment lawyer.