Downtown Music Publishing, YouTube Ink Direct Deal For Performance Rights

Downtown Music Publishing has expanded its licensing agreement with YouTube to include performance rights for music streamed on the video platform, allowing writers and publishers to be paid directly, rather than through performance rights organizations (and bypassing the PROs’ administration fee).

DMP and YouTube already have a deal in place for licensing reproduction rights for Downtown’s songwriters.

Andrew Sparkler, Downtown’s VP of Business Affairs and Operation, noted, “Certain methods of royalty collection have been in place for over one hundred years and may need to be reconsidered. This broader licensing arrangement, which includes performance income, provides our songwriters with reduced administrative fees, expedited payments and more robust usage and royalty data. We are excited to collaborate with a platform like YouTube, who is also invested in rights management, transparency, accuracy and precision in licensing. ”

Anjali Southward, YouTube’s head of U.S. music publishing said, “Downtown Music Publishing has been a trusted, forward-looking partner for many years. Downtown’s ability to provide YouTube with up-to-date accurate repertoire ownership information is a key component of our partnership. We look forward to continuing our work together and supporting innovative ways to connect songwriters and content providers.”