Publishing Catch-Up: UMG Teed Up to Acquire the Queen Catalog, CRB Confirms Streaming Royalty Rate for Songwriters & More
- Meg Adams
- May 31, 2023
- 4 min read
In this month's music publishing catch-up we look back at the latest news, from key deals and acquisitions to new hires, legislation and more.
Deals & Acquisitions
Major music companies including Universal Music Group have been in discussions regarding a potential acquisition, we’re told, in addition to players from the world of private equity.
The catalogue includes the international hit Conga performed by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine.
blackx acquired catalog of Taiwanese songwriter Frances Wang, Zhong Yan (Digital Music News)
blackx, one of Asia’s pioneers in music investments, has acquired a catalog of publishing rights to over 230 songs by renowned songwriter Frances Wang, Zhong Yan 王中言.
Primary Wave has acquired the rock band Skillet’s music publishing, as well as the record royalties across five of their albums released from 2003 through to 2016.
BMG acquired the artist royalties for albums released on Planet and RCA and the group's recaptured U.S. publishing rights to "I'm So Excited."
Seeker Music has acquired the masters and publishing catalog of Charlotte Caffey, who co-wrote some of the group’s biggest hits and was the sole songwriter of its signature song, “We Got the Beat”.
Sir Rod Stewart calls off catalog sales to Hipgnosis (Music Week)
After more than two years of negotiation with the company’s founder and CEO, Merck Mercuriadis, Stewart has opted to retain ownership of his song catalog, terminating its sale to Hipgnosis.
CMOs and Royalties
The Copyright Royalty Board in the US issued a written determination upholding the mechanical royalty rate rise across the five years between 2018 and 2022.
France-headquartered International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) has published its latest annual report, which provides an overview of its work with its 227 member CMOs across the world.
UK government formally announces music metadata agreement and music-maker remuneration working group (CMU)
The UK government’s Intellectual Property Office has published a new music industry agreement around metadata which seeks to begin tackling some of the data issues that routinely impact on the crediting and payment of music-makers.
The leading performance rights organizations have teamed to combat bad actors wrongfully claiming performance royalties and ownership of musical works.
After the IMPALA published its manifesto, David Israelite shared his thoughts, saying “The IMPALA report implying that songwriters should receive less from streaming models is irresponsible and offensive.”
The two organizations will now work together to achieve the aim of “building and implementing new infrastructure and initiating the process of licensing in the UAE”.
Music by Italian songwriters returns to Facebook and Instagram after 'transitional' deal with Meta (MBW)
The deal is seen as a victory for SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers) after their music was suspended from the platforms due to the parties’ failure to renew a licensing deal earlier this year.
The indie label says it's the first to create a standard for gifting writers a cut on the master side, citing the "decimation" of their income in the streaming era.
Facts & Figures
Publishers Quarterly: Miley & The Weeknd split song honors as Sony shakes UMPG for a sweep (Billboard)
After sharing No. 1 with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) for three consecutive quarters, Sony Music Publishing swept Billboard’s Publishers Quarterly report for the first 90 days of 2023.
Legal
Could Ed Sheeran's copyright win change the landscape of music lawsuits? (Hollywood Reporter)
After many legal battles in the past shaking up the industry and causing a flurry of other lawsuits that made songwriters more willing to give credit, whether it was due or not, could we see a change in future lawsuits?
People
Alongside her new promotion, Davis will also continue in her position as UK head of A&R and will report into Shani Gonzales, WCM UK’s Managing Director.
Coesfeld, who is the current CFO of BMG will now become the music company’s new CEO with effect from July 1, 2023.
According to the company, she will serve as the bridge between the A&R and sync teams, providing consistent and individualized guidance to the publishing roster.
Interesting Reads
Cohen talks about bringing music rights investment to the masses and unlocking value for rights owners and investors alike.
Jody Gerson: The Hits Interview (Part 1) (Hits Daily Double)
Universal Music Publishing Group boss Jody Gerson sat down with Hits Daily Double to talk about her journey and work with UMPG.
Where is the music angle in this? That’s where the music bodies’ statements – issued very quickly after the ruling was announced – come in. It’s all about fair use.
Do the write thing (MBW)
Merck Mercuriadis, founder and CEO of Hipgnosis Song Management, shares his views and thoughts on the morning of the Ivor Novellos.
Raye challenged a room full of record label executives to pay songwriters more fairly. She said “It would be an insult to suggest that you go to work for free and it’s an insult that you think songwriters should do the same”
Dispelling the utopian dream: the complex reality of music royalties (Music Ally)Column from Virginie Berger, a music and tech industry executive with over 20 years experience breaks down in detail the challenge of rebuilding and updating the music industry’s royalty system.
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