In a recent deal, the estate of the late British singer-songwriter Joe Cocker sold his music rights to Irving Azoff's Iconic Artists Group. The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
According to Music Business Worldwide, this transaction is part of a growing trend where music estates are selling their catalogs to major players in the music industry.
Joe Cocker, known for his soulful voice and covers of songs like "With a Little Help from My Friends," passed away in 2014. His music catalog includes recordings from the 1960s to the 2000s.
BMI, one of the leading music rights societies, reports that Cocker's songs have been streamed over 1.5 billion times on Spotify alone. With the increasing popularity of streaming services, music catalogs have become valuable assets.
The sale of music rights can take various forms. As Billboard explains, there are different types of music rights, including performing rights, mechanical rights, and synchronization rights. The buyer of a music catalog acquires the right to exploit these rights and earn royalties from the use of the songs.
Iconic Artists Group, which represents artists such as Carole King and John Fogerty, is known for its expertise in music publishing and management. The acquisition of Joe Cocker's music catalog is expected to strengthen its position in the music industry.
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