Sony/ATV Re-Signs With BMI

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has re-signed with BMI to allow its catalog to be licensed under the performing rights organization’s blanket license. Last week, Universal Music Publishing also re-upped with BMI.

Publishers including UMPG, BMG Chrysalis, Sony/ATV and Sony/ATV’s administered EMI Music Publishing, previously withdrew digital rights from BMI and ASCAP, so the publishers could negotiate directly with digital music services in hopes of receiving a higher market rate.

But courts ruled against partial rights withdrawal from the PROs; for example, taking away digital rights but leaving other rights.

In a statement, BMI and Sony/ATV said their new agreement provides stability to the music publishing copyright marketplace while affording an opportunity for BMI and music publishers to seek regulatory and legislative change to protect the value of copyright for songwriters, composers and music publishers alike.

“Sony/ATV is proud to renew our relationship with BMI, which will continue to license the world’s largest and most relevant music catalog to the hundreds of thousands of businesses that rely on music to drive their profits,” said Sony/ATV CEO Martin Bandier. “In the current digital environment, it is critical that we reform the current system which does not fairly compensate songwriters and composers. BMI is an important player in this fight.”

“We appreciate the vote of confidence from Sony/ATV and the faith our writers and composers place in us every day as their trusted broker,” said BMI CEO Michael O’Neill in a statement. “It is our privilege to represent the incredible writers and musical works in the Sony/ATV repertoire. We are dedicated to the mission to fairly value the rights of publishers and songwriters in today’s market.”