Co-producing digital courses can be exciting, creative, and profitable — but it’s also a business. And like any business, there are legal considerations that can’t be ignored. Many co-producers (and even experts) jump into partnerships without clear agreements, only to face misunderstandings, lost revenue, or even legal disputes down the line.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the essential legal aspects of co-production — what documents you need, how to handle ownership, how to protect your revenue, and how to avoid the most common legal mistakes that co-producers make.
If you’re serious about building a sustainable and scalable co-production business, understanding the legal side is not optional — it’s part of your foundation.
Why Legal Protection Matters in Co-Production
Let’s be clear: legal problems usually happen after something has gone wrong. A partnership falls apart, a course flops and no one wants to pay for the ads, an expert claims full ownership of content you helped create — or you’re left out of a relaunch you helped build.
The right contracts and legal structure help prevent these issues before they start. They ensure that everyone knows their role, responsibilities, and rights — and give you legal recourse if someone doesn’t hold up their end.
What to Include in a Co-Production Agreement
The most important legal document in a co-production relationship is the Co-Production Agreement (also called a Partnership Agreement or Collaboration Contract).
This agreement should be in place before any work begins. It doesn’t need to be 50 pages long or full of legal jargon — but it does need to cover the essentials. Here’s what to include:
1. Roles and Responsibilities
Define who is responsible for what. For example:
- Expert: Course content creation, appearing on camera, attending live events
- Co-Producer: Strategy, funnel building, tech setup, ad management, launch coordination
- Both: Marketing collaboration, reviewing deliverables, post-launch analysis
This avoids the classic “I thought you were doing that” scenario.
2. Revenue Sharing Model
Be clear about how revenue will be split and what expenses will be deducted first (e.g., ad spend, software, freelance team). State:
- Gross or net revenue (and what counts as an expense)
- Payment schedule (monthly, quarterly)
- Platform access for tracking sales
- What happens if one party contributes less than promised
Always include terms for refunds or chargebacks and how they affect payouts.
3. Ownership of Assets
This is one of the most overlooked areas in co-productions.
Clarify who owns:
- The course content (videos, slides, PDFs)
- The sales pages, funnels, and email sequences
- The branding and domain
- The audience (email list, community)
In most cases, the expert owns the educational content, while the co-producer retains rights to the marketing systems and launch assets. Whatever you decide, put it in writing.
4. Duration and Termination Clauses
How long is the agreement valid for? Is it tied to one launch? Does it apply to evergreen sales and relaunches?
Include:
- Duration of the agreement (e.g., 12 months)
- How either party can exit (notice required, financial terms)
- What happens to assets and revenue streams upon termination
This prevents awkward endings and ensures you’re fairly compensated for your contributions, even if the relationship ends.
5. Use of Your Work and Name
Decide whether the expert can reuse the funnels, copy, or videos you created without you. Can they relaunch using your work and cut you out? Can they sell the course to another company?
Also clarify whether you can feature the project in your portfolio or marketing (especially important if you’re ghost-producing or white-labeling the work).
Other Legal Documents to Consider
In addition to the main co-production agreement, here are other documents you may want to prepare or be familiar with:
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
If you’re discussing sensitive business strategies, pricing models, or content plans, having both parties sign an NDA creates a legal obligation to keep information confidential. It’s not always necessary, but it’s useful when talking to agencies or large brands.
Independent Contractor Agreement
If you hire freelancers (video editors, designers, writers), have them sign an agreement that defines their role, rate, timeline, and who owns the final product. This protects you and helps avoid legal complications later.
Platform Terms of Use
Make sure the course platform (e.g., Hotmart, Teachable, Kajabi) terms of service are understood — especially around revenue distribution, refunds, account ownership, and data handling. Sometimes co-producers and experts share a platform login, which can get tricky if the partnership ends.
Handling Legal Matters Internationally
Co-productions often happen across borders. If your partner is in another country, consider:
- Using international contract templates (you can find basic ones online and have them reviewed by a local lawyer)
- Agreeing on a governing jurisdiction (e.g., “This agreement will be governed by the laws of [Country/State]”)
- Using payment platforms that offer some protection (e.g., Wise, Stripe, or PayPal with invoicing and records)
- Tracking all revenue and payouts in shared documents (e.g., Google Sheets + screenshots from sales dashboards)
Even if local enforcement might be complicated, a written agreement still offers a strong layer of protection.
What Happens Without Legal Agreements?
You might think, “I trust them — we’re friends.” Or “We’ll put it in writing after the first launch.”
But here’s what can happen when you skip the legal side:
- You launch a course and never get paid
- You spend hours building a funnel, and the expert disappears
- You co-create an audience, and get locked out of the email list
- The expert relaunches the course without you — using your work
- The relationship ends, and no one knows who owns what
Legal agreements don’t kill relationships — they protect them. When everything is clear upfront, there’s less room for conflict or resentment.
Getting Legal Support on a Budget
You don’t need a $5,000 law firm to protect yourself. Here are a few budget-friendly options:
- Use a template service like LegalZoom, Bonsai, or LawDepot
- Hire a freelance contract lawyer via platforms like Upwork or Fiverr
- Ask for referrals in entrepreneur Facebook groups or startup forums
- Use AI-based legal platforms like Spellbook (for contract review and suggestions)
Even a basic reviewed contract is better than none at all.
Final Thoughts
If you’re building a real co-production business, you need to treat it like one — and that includes the legal side. Agreements, asset rights, revenue terms, and termination clauses are not just “nice to have” — they’re critical.
The best partnerships are built on clarity and mutual respect. A solid legal foundation shows professionalism, builds trust, and protects both your business and your future.
Think of your contract as a launch checklist for the relationship — and make sure every box is checked before you hit “publish.”