Facebook Inks Deals With SESAC, GMR, Kobalt

Facebook announced today three new music licensing deals with SESAC’s HFA/Rumblefish, Global Rights Management, and Kobalt Music Publishing.

The deal with SESAC will use Rumblefish to identify musical works, so publishers and writers can be properly compensated. Facebook’s partnership with GMR marks GMR’s first user-generated content deal.

The string of partnerships follow recently-made deals with Universal Music Group and Sony/ATV.

Scott Sellwood, Head of Commercial Music Publishing Partnerships, Facebook, said, “Facebook and SESAC’s HFA/Rumblefish are excited to offer the vibrant independent publishing community the opportunity to participate in a new licensing program with Facebook. The program will enable users to upload and share videos with music on Facebook, Instagram and Oculus and allows publishers to be compensated for the use of their music. Rumblefish will also help Facebook optimize the identification and clearance of musical works through an innovative data-sharing agreement. This partnership with HFA/Rumblefish and an opt-in for independent publishers opens as of today.”

Willard Ahdritz, Kobalt Founder & CEO, says, “In the spirit of a true partnership, Facebook will ensure songwriters are paid fairly and new revenue streams are created for user uploaded video. We look forward to working closely with Facebook throughout our partnership. And, Kobalt is committed to distributing royalties in a fully transparent way.”

“Together, Facebook and the music industry are bringing the songs you love into the way you express yourself on Facebook, Instagram, Oculus, and Messenger,” said Tamara Hrivnak, head of music business business development. “This means more ways to share, connect, find your fans and be your favorite artist’s biggest and best groupie.”