Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed a new worldwide deal with Grammy-winning songwriter, artist, and producer Mustard. The new deal marks the first big signing since Jon Platt joined Sony/ATV as chairman and CEO. Mustard won Best R&B Song at this …
Category archives: Music Publishing
The Recording Academy Tentatively Sides With the NMPA’s MLC — Subject to ‘Black Box’ Collection Changes
After initially withholding its endorsement, the Recording Academy has now tentatively sided with the major music publishers’ MLC bid. Initially, the Recording Academy’s hesitation to support the major music publishers’ bid to lead the Mechanical Licen…
Thousands of Indie Songwriters Rally Against Major Music Publishers’ ‘Industry Consensus’ MLC
Thousands of indie songwriters are now speaking out against major music publishers like Sony/ATV, Warner/Chappell, and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) over a questionable ‘black box’ collection scheme. As the U.S. Copyright Office mulls over co…
Founding SONA Member, Top Composer Breaks Ranks to Support the AMLC — Here’s Her Statement
‘Who will be chosen to collect and distribute billions of dollars in digital mechanical royalties?’ The following comes from Hélène Muddiman, an award-winning film/tv composer and founding member of influential songwriting group Songwriters of North Am…
Nashville Metro Council Condemns Spotify’s Anti-Songwriter Stance
How long will Spotify continue to hold out against growing opposition? Spotify doesn’t seem to have many friends in the music industry anymore. From top executives – including Irving Azoff – and major publishers – such as Warner/Chappell – the industry…
Hipgnosis Songs Fund Raises a Cool $185 MM in an Oversubscribed Round
Merck Mercuriadis’ Hipgnosis Songs Fund Ltd (HSFL) has announced a new round of funding with gross proceeds of $185m (£141.5m). Mercuriadis raised over $260m (£200m) in the first round of funding for HSFL last summer. Since then, he’s spent big money t…
Concord Music Publishing Announces JV With Kanye West Collaborator Noah Goldstein
Concord Music Publishing has reached a deal with producer Noah Goldstein to represent his full catalog and future works. The Grammy-winning recording engineer and mixer has worked closely with Kanye West and crafted a number of hits. ‘New Slaves’, ‘Bl…
Songwriting Splits: What They Are And Why You Need to Agree On Them Now
As an increasing number of modern releases feature more and more songwriters, the importance songwriting splits and their legal value becomes increasingly important. Here we look at exactly what these splits are and how they should be arranged to avoid headaches and conflict down the road. ________________________________ Guest post by…
After Top Execs Score $200 Million In Bonuses, Sony/ATV’s New CEO Plans a “Special Recognition Bonus” for all Employees
After top brass scored $200 million in bonuses — with exiting chief Marty Bandier grabbing a cool $100 million — incoming Jon Platt is hoping to calm reported unrest among Sony/ATV’s rank-and-file. Last year, despite fierce opposition from major indie …
Spotify Offers Struggling Songwriters Free 3-Month Subscriptions — ‘We Hear You’
After a contentious and ugly battle over royalty rates, Spotify has developed an unexpected plan to compensate songwriters. The streaming giant, now acquired by Google/Alphabet for $43.4 billion, is planning to mend its relationships with songwriters w…