What does it mean when artist sell their masters?

What does it mean when artist sell their masters?

If an artist is signing to a small independent label, the small independent label may want to (down the line) sell its catalogue of master recordings. When record labels are sold their ownership of masters and their value comes into play.

Why are so many artists selling their catalogs?

Artists are cementing their legacies by selling their catalogs for cash as music becomes more valuable in the streaming era. Investors and music publishers have been buying catalogs for as much as 30 times their average annual royalties.

What does it mean if an artist sells their catalog?

Selling the catalog The details of the sale were not released, but cases like this typically mean a significant payout for the seller (Bowie’s estate) and substantial benefits for the buyer, including: Rights to the songs. The artist’s royalty percentage. Merchandise revenue.

What happens when a singer sells their catalog?

An artist’s or songwriter’s stake in his or her composi- tions is typically referred to as “publishing” or “catalog.” When a catalog is sold, 100% of the songwriter’s copyright interest — all income and rights in each song — is typically relinquished.

Why do artists not own their masters?

The original recording of a song is called a master. Most artists who sign with labels do not own their masters, as they often sign away their rights when signing a contract with a label for distribution purposes. Many artists are okay with this, until the situation gets messy.

Can artist buy back their masters?

Due to a legal provision outlined in the 1976 Copyright Revision Act, artists whose albums were released in the year 1978 and afterward all become eligible to file paperwork with the U.S. Copyright Office allowing them to reclaim ownership of their music copyrights and master recordings from their record labels after a …