Andrew Watt, the Grammy Award-winning songwriter behind hits for Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, and other artists, has reportedly secured an "eight-figure deal" with Hipgnosis, a leading music rights company. According to Billboard, the agreement grants Hipgnosis the ownership of Watt's share of the copyrights to over 100 of his songs.
Hipgnosis, which has previously acquired the catalogs of artists like Neil Young, Lindsey Buckingham, and Cat Stevens, specializes in buying music rights from writers, artists, and publishers. The company's business model is based on the belief that music copyrights are an attractive investment, as they generate steady royalties from streaming and other revenue sources.
The exact terms of Watt's deal with Hipgnosis have not been disclosed, but it is clear that the songwriter stands to benefit significantly from the transaction. By selling his copyrights, Watt can secure a large upfront payment and enjoy financial stability, while Hipgnosis gains the rights to collect royalties from the songs' future earnings.
It is essential to understand that music rights come in various forms, including publishing rights (lyrics and compositions) and master rights (recordings). Music rights societies like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC help administer and collect royalties for songwriters and publishers, while performing rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI represent the public performance rights of songs.
In the music industry, the ownership of music rights can be a complex issue. Songwriters, artists, record labels, and publishers all have a stake in the various types of rights associated with a song. Understanding how music rights work and who owns them is crucial for anyone involved in the business of music.
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