I've often had writers ask if I want a co-write for some suggestion of lyric they found valuable.

I generally answer that, "I hereby relinquish all legal right to the contributions I made to this lyric," and state that I intend to be legally bound by that, and advise them to print it out and put it in the file with the lyric for future reference, should a question ever arise.

I'm confident if they ever get it to market and it's a hit they'll remember me and, if there's anything they can and want to do for me at that time, they'll look me up. Otherwise, I see little reason to complicate things for them by insisting on a co-write status which would require my agreement in every move they make, unless I grant them authority to make legal commitments without further consultation from me.

I do suggest that it be formalized in such fashion, to preclude a confusing legal issue that may crop up just as a piece begins to make money, which would likely involve other people and companies and reflect badly on the songwriter whose credibility then falls into question, making it difficult to get others to work with them in future.

There will always be another song to be written. Someone will write it. Why not you? www.garyeandrews.com