Major publishers song catalogues now total 11 milllion

The number of copyrights now owned or managed by the World’s Top 5 music publishers is very close to 11 million, according to MBW analysis. Earlier this month MBW calculated that Sony/ATV’s haul of copyrights – which it either directly owns or controls via admin deals – had topped 4m. Elsewhere, Kobalt has publicly stated that it now manages over 600,000 copyrights, while Warner/Chappell boss Cameron Strang recently told an audience at Canadian Music Week that the major now has “1.2m copyrights under management globally”. UMPG has confirmed that it’s in control of 3.2m copyrights. Wrapping up the Top 5 is BMG - the Berlin-based company says that it manages 1.9m copyrights worldwide

Sony/ATV and EMI launch new pan European licensing scheme

Sony/ATV, EMI Music, PRS and GEMA are set to build on the success of CELAS and PAECOL by launching SOLAR to administer pan European digital licensing for Sony/ATV and EMI music and compositions, replacing the previous set-ups. Sony/ATV chief Marty Bandier told reporters: "This agreement not only builds on our already successful relationships with PRS For Music and GEMA, but makes the licensing process in Europe more straight-forward as services will now have only one place to go for both Sony/ATV and EMI Music Publishing repertoire. It is also great news for our songwriters as we look to continue to facilitate licensing in this rapidly-evolving and expanding sector".

New deals in the digital age

Marty Bandier, head of Sony/ATV/EMI, has formally re-affirmed the publisher's threat to withdraw from the collective licensing system in the US if the Department Of Justice doesn't agree to revise the rules that regulate the two main American collecting societies for song performance rights, ASCAP and BMI. 
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An update on SoundCloud: The online music sharing service is seemingly close to a deal with the largest record labels Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group. Bloomberg says the major labels will agree to licences so SoundCloud can continue play their songs - and avoid potential legal disputes.  It seems SoundCloud is offering the three major labels equity in the company, in exchange for both licensing deals and guarantees not to sue over any past copyright violations when the service shifts to a monetised model. According to Bloomberg, Universal, Sony and Warner are being offered between 3% and 5% of SoundCloud, along with a cut of future revenues.

Grooveshark announced a deal with Sony/ATV

Grooveshark, the often controversial streaming service which had already reached a settlement with EMI Music Publishing, which had sued the digital firm,  now has a licensing deal in place. with Sony/ATV, the company that now controls EMI Music Publishing. Details of Grooveshark's deal with Sony/ATV/EMI are not known, though it does give the digital set-up a little more legitimacy as it continues to fight litigation from all of the major record companies.