Christine McVie, key member of Fleetwood Mac, has joined her bandmates in selling her music catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Fund. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed (Variety).
McVie, who wrote or co-wrote 115 songs for Fleetwood Mac, is the fourth member to sell her share of the band's music rights. Previously, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, and Mick Fleetwood have also struck similar deals with Hipgnosis (Billboard).
Music catalog sales have become increasingly popular in the music industry, with various types of music rights being bought and sold through music rights societies and other platforms. These transactions allow artists to receive upfront payments for their catalogs, gaining financial security and liquidity (Forbes).
The sale of music catalogs involves the transfer of ownership of the copyrights and royalties of a body of songs. The buyer, in this case Hipgnosis, acquires the income streams from the songs' performances, recordings, and synchronization licenses (Music Business Worldwide).
As of now, the exact terms of McVie's deal with Hipgnosis remain undisclosed. However, this sale further solidifies the trend of music catalog investments, with more artists and bands following suit to secure their financial futures.
For more information on music rights, their ownership, and how they work, check out the following resources: