Sony Music Publishing

American music publishing company

Sony Music Publishing LLC

Logo used since 2021

Formerly| Sony/ATV Music Publishing (1995–2021)
Company type| Division
Industry| Music publishing
Predecessors| ATV Music (1972–1995)
CBS Music Publishing (1988–1991)
Sony Music Publishing (1991–1995)
Founded| 1995; 30 years ago (1995)
Founders| Michael Jackson
Sony Corporation of America
Headquarters| 25 Madison Avenue,

New York City

United States

Key people

| Jon Platt (chairman and CEO)
Services| Music publishing
Parent| Sony Corporation of America (1995–2012)
Michael Jackson (1995–2009)
Michael Jackson's estate (2009–2016)
Sony Entertainment (2012–2019)
Sony Music Group (2019–present)
Divisions| Acuff-Rose Music
Subsidiaries| EMI Music Publishing
Extreme Music
APM Music
Hickory Records
KPM Music
Bleeding Fingers Music
Website| www.sonymusicpub.com/en

Sony Music Publishing LLC (formerly Sony/ATV Music Publishing) is an American music publisher. Responsible for publishing the largest quantity of music, with over five million songs owned or administered as of end March 2021, it is part of Sony Music Group,[1] which is itself owned by Japanese conglomerate Sony Group Corporation. The company was formed as Sony/ATV in 1995 by the merger of the original incarnation of Sony Music Publishing and ATV Music, which was owned by late entertainer Michael Jackson. Jackson had purchased ATV Music, which included the Lennon–McCartney song catalog, in 1985.

In 2012, an investor consortium led by Sony/ATV Music Publishing acquired EMI Music Publishing to become the largest music publishing administrator in the world, with a library of over three million songs.

In April 2019, Jon Platt became CEO/Chairman of Sony/ATV Music Publishing after the contract of longtime CEO/Chairman Martin Bandier expired.[2] In August 2019, management of Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Sony Music Entertainment were merged under the newly formed Sony Music Group.[1]

## History of ATV Music

[edit]

Associated Television (ATV) was a British television broadcasting company founded in 1955 by Lew Grade. Over the next two decades, ATV expanded through acquisitions to become an entertainment conglomerate with business lines in the record industry, music publishing and film production.

ATV entered the music industry in 1958 when it acquired 50% of Pye Records, a British record company.[3] ATV expanded into music publishing in 1966 when it acquired 50% of New World Music and Jubilee Music, subsidiaries of Chappell & Co.[4] ATV also acquired the other 50% of Pye Records, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of ATV, including Pye Record's publishing subsidiary Welbeck Music.[5]

John Lennon and Paul McCartney attempted to purchase a controlling interest in Northern Songs in 1969.

ATV acquired Northern Songs, publisher of the Lennon–McCartney song catalogue, in 1969.[6] The catalog featured almost every song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Northern Songs was co-owned by Lennon, McCartney, Brian Epstein and Dick James, who owned a controlling interest. In 1969, James offered to sell his shares to ATV. Lennon and McCartney then attempted to gain a controlling interest in the company.[6] Their bid to gain control, part of a long and acrimonious fight, failed. The financial clout of Grade, their adversary in the bidding war, ensured that the songs written by the two Beatles passed into the control of ATV.[6]

In 1970, ATV formed a joint publishing venture with Kirshner Entertainment, called ATV-Kirshner Music.[7] The partnership agreement expired at the end of 1972 at which time ATV Music was formed to manage all of ATV's publishing interests, including Northern Songs. ATV Music remained a successful organization in the music industry throughout the 1970s, largely due to the performance of Northern Songs. ATV Music also entered into co-publishing agreements with Lennon and McCartney, whose contract with Northern Songs expired in 1973.

While ATV Music was successful, its parent company, now known as Associated Communications Corporation (ACC) began experiencing financial difficulties. From 1978 to 1981, ACC's profits declined due to losses in its film division, and share prices dropped dramatically. The main television arm of ATV lost its government-granted license in its then-current form and was restructured into Central Independent Television. In 1981, Grade entertained offers for Northern Songs, drawing interest from several bidders. McCartney, with Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, offered £21 million but the offer was declined by Grade who decided not to sell Northern Songs separately after other suitors, including CBS Songs, EMI Music Publishing, Warner Communications, Paramount Pictures and the Entertainment Co. showed interest in buying ATV Music as a whole.[8][9]

Meanwhile, Australian businessman Robert Holmes à Court had been acquiring shares of ACC and launched a takeover bid in earnest in January 1982. Grade resigned as chairman and was replaced by Holmes à Court who successfully acquired a controlling interest in the company.[10] After Holmes à Court assumed control of ACC, ATV Music was no longer for sale.[11]

### Sale of ATV Music to Michael Jackson

[edit]

Michael Jackson acquired ATV Music in 1985 and merged it with Sony a decade later.

In 1981, American singer Michael Jackson collaborated with Paul McCartney, writing and recording several songs together. Jackson stayed at the home of McCartney and his wife Linda during the recording sessions, becoming friendly with both. One evening while at the dining table, McCartney brought out a thick, bound notebook displaying all the songs to which he owned the publishing rights. Jackson grew more excited as he examined the pages. He inquired about how to buy songs and how the songs were used.[12] McCartney explained that music publishing was a lucrative part of the music business. Jackson replied by telling McCartney that he would buy the Beatles' songs one day. McCartney laughed, saying "Great. Good joke."[13]

Jackson was first informed that the ATV catalog was up for sale in September 1984 by his attorney, John Branca, who had put together Jackson's earlier catalogue acquisitions. Warned of the competition he would face in buying such popular songs, Jackson remained resolute in his decision to purchase them.[12][14] Branca approached McCartney's attorney to query whether the Beatle was planning to bid. The attorney stated he was not; it was "too pricey."[14][15] According to Bert Reuter, who negotiated the sale of ATV Music for Holmes à Court, "We had given Paul McCartney first right of refusal but Paul didn't want it at that time."[16] Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono had been contacted as well but also did not enter bidding.[15]

The competitors in the 1984 sale of ATV Music included Charles Koppelman and Marty Bandier's New York-based the Entertainment Co., Virgin Records, New York real estate tycoon Samuel J. LeFrak, and financier Charles Knapp. On November 20, 1984, Jackson sent a bid of $46 million to Holmes à Court. Branca suggested the amount of the bid after having spent time evaluating the earnings of the catalogue and learning of another bid for $39 million. Jackson was only interested in the music copyrights, but the package also included buildings, a recording studio and studio equipment. The two sides signed a non-binding memorandum of mutual interest in December 1984 and Jackson's team began a four-month process of verifying ATV Music's legal documents, financial reports, and every significant composition in the nearly 4000-song catalog.[12]

The two sides began drafting contracts in January 1985 and follow-through meetings began on March 16. Jackson's team described the negotiations as frustrating, with frequent shifts of position by the seller. One Holmes à Court representative described the negotiations as a "game of poker". Jackson's team thought they had reached a deal several times, but new bidders would enter the picture or they would encounter new areas of debate. The prospective deal went through eight drafts. In May 1985, Jackson's team walked away from negotiations after having spent hundreds of hours and over $1 million. In June 1985, they learned Koppelman/Bandier had made a tentative agreement with Holmes à Court to buy the catalog for $50 million.[12]

But in early August, Holmes à Court contacted Jackson and talks resumed. Jackson only raised his bid to $47.5 million, but he had the advantage of being able to close the deal faster, having completed due diligence of ATV Music prior to any formal agreement.[12] He also agreed to visit Australia as a guest of Holmes à Court and appear on the Channel Seven Perth Telethon.[12][16] Holmes à Court included some more assets and agreed to establish a scholarship in Jackson's name at a U.S. university.[12] Branca closed the deal and purchased ATV Music on Jackson's behalf for $47.5 million on August 10, 1985.[12][14] In October 1985, Jackson fulfilled his contract provision to visit Perth, Western Australia and appear on the telethon, where he spoke briefly and met with two children.[12][16]

The only Beatles song in the Northern Songs catalog that was excluded from the sale was "Penny Lane", the rights to which were gifted by Holmes à Court to his then-teenage daughter Catherine before the sale, as it was her favorite Beatles song.[17][18]

### Reactions to the acquisition

[edit]

Jackson went on to use the Beatles' songs in numerous commercials, feeling that it would enable a new generation of fans to enjoy the music. McCartney, who had used the Buddy Holly song catalogue in commercials, felt saddened.[14] Privately, Jackson was reported to have expressed exasperation at McCartney's attitude; he felt that the musician should have paid for the songs he had written.[14] At the time, McCartney was one of the richest entertainers in the world, with a net worth of $560 million and a royalty income of $41 million.[14] Jackson stated, "If he didn't want to invest $47.5 million in his own songs, then he shouldn't come crying to me now."[14]

Appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman shortly after Jackson died in 2009, McCartney spoke about Jackson's acquisition of the Beatles songs and the impact of it on their relationship:[19]

> And which was, you know, that was cool, somebody had to get it, I suppose. What happened actually was then I started to ring him up. I thought, OK, here's the guy historically placed to give Lennon–McCartney a good deal at last. Cuz we got signed when we were 21 or something in a back alley in Liverpool. And the deal, it's remained the same, even though we made this company the most famous… hugely successful. So I kept thinking, it was time for a raise. Well you would, you know. [David Letterman: Yes, I think so.] And so it was great. But I did talk to him about it. But he kind of blanked me on it. He kept saying, "That's just business Paul." You know. So, "yeah it is", and waited for a reply. But we never kind of got to it. And I thought, mm.... So we kind of drifted apart. It was no big bust up. We kind of drifted apart after that. But he was a lovely man, massively talented, and we miss him.

Ono was pleased that Jackson had acquired Northern Songs and called it a "blessing".[14] Speaking in November 1990, Ono stated, "Businessmen who aren't artists themselves wouldn't have the consideration Michael has. He loves the songs. He's very caring."[14] She added that if she and McCartney were to own the songs, there would certainly be arguments. Ono explained that neither she nor McCartney needed that. "If Paul got the songs, people would have said, 'Paul finally got John.' And if I got them, they'd say, 'Oh, the dragon lady strikes again.'"[14]

At least one Beatles song was covered by Jackson after acquiring publishing rights: "Come Together" from the album Abbey Road (primarily a Lennon composition) in 1986. The song was recorded for Jackson's 1987 album Bad but was scrapped and instead put on HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I eight years later. It was featured on the 1988 movie Moonwalker and also had an official video. It is not known if Jackson covered any other songs, as no bootlegs have been released.

## History of the first incarnation of Sony Music Publishing

[edit]

Sony, which sought to diversify into music, films and games, acquired CBS Records Inc. in January 1988, and was later renamed as Sony Music Entertainment Inc. in January 1991. Shortly after the acquisition by Sony a music publishing division, CBS Music Publishing, was formed.[20] CBS Records' previous publishing division, CBS Songs, had been sold to SBK Entertainment in 1986, and SBK ended being sold to EMI in 1989.[21] Looking for further opportunities, Sony aimed to expand its music publishing interests. CBS Records acquired the Nashville music publisher Tree International Publishing in 1989.[22] In addition to publishing agreements with Sony Music recording artists, further acquisitions included the Fred Fisher publishing catalog of 3,000 songs and Nile Rodgers' Chic Music, Inc.[23]

## Merger of ATV Music with Sony Music Publishing

[edit]

In 1995, Sony offered Jackson $110 million for a 50% stake in a combined ATV and Sony Music Publishing joint venture. Following hurriedly arranged meetings and disagreements over the selling price, a deal was sealed by Jackson during a concert in Tokyo.[24] Jackson had essentially sold half ownership of the Beatles' and others' songs for a large profit.[24] Jackson's own songs, grouped in the Mijac catalog, were not included in the deal; that catalog remained with Warner/Chappell Music until 2012.[25]

The new company was named Sony/ATV Music Publishing and became the second largest music publisher in the world.[24] Michael P. Schulhof, President and CEO of Sony Corporation of America, welcomed the merger and praised Jackson for his efforts in the venture. "Michael Jackson is not only the most successful entertainer in history; he is also an astute businessman. Michael understands the importance of copyrights and the role they play in the introduction to new technologies."[25] He added that Jackson recognizes Sony's "leadership in developing and realizing new technologies that serve to expand the creative horizon of artists such as himself".[25] Administrative expertise was provided by Sony, who installed Paul Russell as chairman. Jackson was a company director and attended board meetings regularly.[24] As each party in the arrangement held the power of veto, both sides would have to agree on a decision before it could be made. If either party disagreed on decisions, they would not be implemented.[24]

In 2006, Sony gained operational control of Sony/ATV and obtained an option to buy half of Jackson's stake in the company at any time for a fixed price of $250 million.[26][27][28]

### Catalog acquisitions (2001–2007)

[edit]

Sony/ATV Music Publishing continued to acquire song catalogs in the 21st century.

In November 2001, the company signed country singer Tony Martin to an exclusive songwriting and co-publishing deal. Through the deal, they acquired Martin's Baby Mae Music catalog of 600 songs, which includes Joe Diffie's "Third Rock from the Sun" and Jeff Carson's "Not on Your Love".[29]

In July 2002, Sony/ATV Music Publishing bought veteran country music publisher Acuff-Rose Music for $157 million. The venture included music publishing rights to 55,000 country music songs, including the music of Hank Williams, the Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison,[30] and the master recordings of the defunct label Hickory Records. Sony/ATV revived Hickory Records as the in-house record label imprint in 2007, with distribution handled by Sony Music's RED Distribution.[31] Sony/ATV also owns the masters of Dial Records, Four Star Records and Challenge Records.[32]

Another company acquisition was made in 2007, when Sony/ATV purchased Famous Music, a music publishing business with song catalogue of more than 125,000 songs including "Moon River" and "Footloose", for $370 million. The deal, sought by Viacom, included the assumption of around $30 million of debt. The song catalogue also includes the hits of Eminem, Akon, Linda Perry, Björk, Shakira and Beck, as well as music from films released by Viacom divisions Paramount Pictures (which had founded Famous Music in 1928) and DreamWorks Pictures.[33][34]

### Notable administration and distribution deals

[edit]

Digital sheet music provider Musicnotes.com announced in June 2006 that it had signed a long-term distribution agreement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Musicnotes.com would produce and sell digital sheet music and guitar tablature for songs from Sony/ATV's extensive catalog.[35] "As a music publisher, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to promote our songs and songwriters," Sony/ATV chairman and chief executive David Hockman announced in a statement.[35]

On August 4, 2008, The Orchard secured a deal to globally digitally distribute and market the music catalog by Sony/ATV which includes: Sony Tree Productions, Hickory Records, and Masters International.[36]

On June 27, 2017, Sony/ATV agreed to administer the music publishing rights of French motion picture company EuropaCorp, soon after acquiring 1,500 music copyrights from the studio.[37] Other major studios that rely on Sony/ATV's administration include sister studio Sony Pictures (except the studio's 1993-2012 catalogue, which is owned by Anthem Entertainment), CBS and Showtime Networks (both since the acquisition of Famous Music), Discovery, Inc., 20th Century Studios and Fox Entertainment, All3Media, Entertainment One, A+E Networks, Endemol Shine Group, and Mattel.[38]

In 2020 Sony Music/ATV formed a partnership with music licensing platform BeatStars, resulting in BeatStars Publishing- global online administration service for independent songwriters and producers, which allows users to register their songs and collect publishing administration royalties.[39][40]

### Purchase of EMI Publishing in 2012 and 2018

[edit]

In November 2011, Citigroup announced a deal to sell EMI in two pieces. Recorded music went to Vivendi's Universal Music Group for $1.9 billion. EMI Music Publishing went to a Sony/ATV-led consortium for around $2.2 billion.[41] Other members of the Sony consortium included the Michael Jackson Estate (about 10% ownership), US media billionaire David Geffen, US investment firm Blackstone and Abu Dhabi state-owned investment fund Mubadala.[42] The deal won European Union approval in April 2012,[43] on condition that some catalogs be divested.[44] The global publishing rights for Famous Music UK and Virgin Music were sold to BMG Rights Management in December 2012 for $150 million.[45]

While Sony/ATV acquired about 30% of EMI Publishing, it put up a much lower cash contribution. In exchange, it agreed to administer the entire catalog (including the former CBS Songs/SBK Entertainment music publishing catalog). Sony/ATV became the largest music publisher administrator company in the world with more than 3 million songs[46] and estimated revenues of over US$1.25 billion per year.[47] After the acquisition, three EMI executives joined Sony/ATV international leadership team: Guy Moot, president of UK and European creative; Susanna Ng, Asia managing director; and Clark Miller, executive VP of international business affairs and global opportunitites.[48]

Since 2012, Sony/ATV has administered Jackson's other publishing firm, Mijac, which includes songs written by Jackson himself (and others), and which used to be administered by competitor Warner/Chappell Music.[49]

In July 2018, Sony/ATV bought out the Jackson estate's 10% stake in EMI for $287.5 million.[50] In November 2018, Sony acquired the Mubadala Investment Company's 60% equity interest in EMI Music Publishing for $2.3 billion, based on an enterprise value of $4.75 billion, without offering any concessions to the European Commission.[51] The acquisitions would put the Columbia-Screen Gems catalog back under common ownership with Columbia Pictures, which had sold the rights to EMI in 1976.[52] Following these transactions, Sony owned 100% of EMI Music Publishing.

### Acquisition of Jackson's stake by Sony in 2016

[edit]

In September 2016, Sony acquired the Jackson estate's stake in Sony/ATV in a deal valued at around $750 million. The Jackson estate retained its ownership of Mijac Music, which holds the rights to Michael Jackson's songs and master recordings. The revenue will be placed in trust for Jackson's children.[53]

### Ownership of the Beatles' songs

[edit]

In January 2017, McCartney filed a suit in United States district court against Sony/ATV Music Publishing seeking to reclaim ownership of his share of the Lennon–McCartney song catalogue beginning in 2018. Under US copyright law, for works published before 1978 the author can reclaim copyrights assigned to a publisher after 56 years.[54][55] McCartney and Sony agreed to a confidential settlement in June 2017.[56][57]

## Valuation

[edit]

### Relevant value

[edit]

A recent and relevant valuation is tied to Sony's acquisition of Jackson estate's stake in the company, completed on September 30, 2016[53][58] for $750 million. This values Sony/ATV at between $2.2 to $2.4 billion (including debt).

### Previous estimates

[edit]

Before the 2016 transaction with Sony, the reported value of Sony/ATV Music Publishing has varied across time and sources. Such valuations are uncertain, as illustrated by their wide variations, given a lack of actual transactions.

* In 2002, Forbes magazine estimated Jackson's 50% stake in the company, along with other music publishing ventures, to be worth $450 million.[59]
* The organization was valued at $700 million in 2003.[60]
* Industry experts valued the catalogue at between $600 million and $1 billion in 2004, based on the sales of rival catalogues.[61] Charles Koppelman, a veteran music industry executive, stated that $1 billion was more reflective of Sony/ATV Music Publishing's worth.[61] "Buyers would be lining up around the block if it were ever put up for sale," he said. "And I'd be in the front of the line."[61]
* In 2005, Jackson's defense attorney, Thomas Mesereau, claimed that the song catalogue had been valued at between $4 billion and $5 billion.[62]
* As of 2007, Jackson's own financial documents stated that his 50% share of the catalogue was worth $390.6 million,[63] which would have made the entire catalogue worth $781.2 million.
* In 2009, the value of the company was further estimated by Ryan Schinman, chief of Platinum Rye, to be $1.5 billion.[64]

## See also

[edit]

* Companies portal

* List of Sony Music Publishing artists
* Hickory Records

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Sony Corp. Restructures Music Division, Brings Recorded Music, Sony/ATV Publishing Together Under Rob Stringer". Billboard. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
2. ^ "Jon Platt on His Rise to Publishing's Pinnacle and Creating 'An Industry of Inclusion'". Billboard. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
3. ^ "Pye Records Deal" Financial Times London 23 October 1958: 1
4. ^ "ATV Goes into Music Publishing" Financial Times London 3 June 1966: 9
5. ^ "ATV Buying up Pye Records for £2.1m" Financial Times London 13 July 1966: 1
6. ^ a b c Guest (2006) p8
7. ^ "ATV, Kirshner Organize Global Publishing Co.; Maclen In Fold" Billboard August 22, 1970: 7
8. ^ Moore, John. "McCartney Fails to Regain All His Yesterdays." Financial Times London 20 November 1981: 38
9. ^ Jones, Peter. "Beatle Catalog Hopefuls Hit 'All Or Nothing' Snag" Billboard December 12, 1981: 45
10. ^ McIlwraith, John (2007). "Michael Robert Holmes à Court (1937–1990)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 17\. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
11. ^ "West Coast Publishers Keep Things Happening" Record World 27 February 1982: 8
12. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hilburn, Robert (22 September 1985). "The long and winding road". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 1 July 2009.
13. ^ Taraborrelli (2004) p333–334
14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Taraborrelli (2004) p335–338
15. ^ a b Doyle, Jack (7 July 2009). "Michael & McCartney, 1990s–2009". The Pop History Dig.
16. ^ a b c "Michael Jackson 1958–2009". Today Tonight. 25 June 2009. Coverage of the sale of ATV Music at 2:36 minutes in. Seven Network. TVW. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
17. ^ Forde, Eamonn (21 March 2016). "The long and winding road: how Paul McCartney is clawing back his catalogue". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
18. ^ (www.dw.com), Deutsche Welle. "Sony secures another stake in Michael Jackson's music venture | Business | DW | 15.03.2016". DW.COM. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
19. ^ "Paul Mccartney on David Letterman – Part 2 of 3" (YouTube video). At 3:25 McCartney talks about Jackson acquiring the Beatles songs. 17 July 2009. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
20. ^ Terry, Ken (26 March 1988). "Majors In Motion". Billboard. New York: Billboard Publications Inc.
21. ^ "CBS Records to Buy Tree, Ending an Era in Nashville". New York Times. 4 January 1989. Retrieved 29 August 2012. "CBS Songs, the record company's publishing arm, was sold in 1986 for $125 million to Stephen Swid, Martin Bandier and Charles Koppelman, who renamed it SBK Entertainment. It is now the second-largest music publishing company."
22. ^ Pareles, Jon (4 January 1989). "THE MEDIA BUSINESS; CBS Records to Buy Tree, Ending an Era in Nashville". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
23. ^ Lichtman, Irv (17 June 1995). "Sony Adds Nile Rodgers, Fisher Catalogs". Billboard. New York, New York: Billboard Music Group.
24. ^ a b c d e Guest (2006) pp12–13
25. ^ a b c Michael Jackson and Sony enter joint publishing venture valued at $600 million. Jet. 27 November 1995. p. 36. Retrieved 6 April 2009. "Sony/ATV michael jackson."
26. ^ Smith, Ethan (21 June 2010). "Jackson Estate Steers to Next Challenge: Loan Refinancing". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
27. ^ "Jackson Assets Draw the Gaze of Wall Street". New York Times. 19 July 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
28. ^ "The Company To Watch". Billboard. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
29. ^ "Sony/ATV Music Publishing signs Tony Martin". Nashville Business Journal. 20 November 2001. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
30. ^ "Jackson made Exeter FC director". BBC. 3 July 2002. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
31. ^ "Hot New Releases From Sony/ATV's Hickory Records". Sony/ATV News. 27 May 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
32. ^ "Sony/ATV Plants a Tree in The Orchard". Business Wire. 4 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
33. ^ "Viacom sells Famous Music to Sony/ATV". USA Today. 30 May 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
34. ^ Swash, Rosie (31 May 2007). "Jackson buys Eminem rights". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
35. ^ a b "Sony/ATV songs to be available in digital sheet music". Los Angeles Business Journal. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
36. ^ Sony/ATV Plants a Tree in The Orchard businesswire.com, Retrieved on 9 March 2019
37. ^ "Sony/ATV buys EuropaCorp music catalogue for $16.5m". Musicbusinessworldwide.com. Music Business Worldwide. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
38. ^ "Sony/ATV Music Publishing - LBBOnline". Lbbonline.com. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
39. ^ "Sony/ATV teams with music production marketplace BeatStars to provide publishing services to producers & songwriters". Music Business Worldwide. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
40. ^ Robinson, Kristin (28 July 2021). "Why Music Marketplace BeatStars Is Getting Into Publishing". Billboard. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
41. ^ Joshua R. Wueller, Mergers of Majors: Applying the Failing Firm Doctrine in the Recorded Music Industry, 7 Brook. J. Corp. Fin. & Com. L. 589, 602 (2013).
42. ^ Atkinson, Claire (11 November 2011). "Citi to sell EMI for $4.1B to Universal, Sony/ATV". Nypost.com. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
43. ^ Aoife White (19 April 2012). "Sony-Led Group Wins EU Approval to Buy EMI Unit". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
44. ^ "Sony Offers EU Concessions In EMI Publishing Purchase". AllAccess.com. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
45. ^ "BMG concludes Virgin and Famous UK songs deal | News | Music Week". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
46. ^ ElBoghdady, Dina (29 June 2012). "Sony Closes Its Acquisition of EMI Music Publishing". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
47. ^ Christman, Ed (18 April 2012). "Sony Plans To Cut 326 EMI Music Publishing Jobs Over Two Years". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
48. ^ "Sony/ATV Names International Leadership Team; Guy Moot Appointed President, UK and European Creative". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
49. ^ Christman, Ed (20 August 2012). "Michael Jackson's Mijac Music Catalog Moves to Sony/ATV". Billboard. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
50. ^ "Sony Completes Acquisition of Michael Jackson Estate's Share of EMI Music Publishing". Billboard.
51. ^ "Sony declines to submit concessions to EC over proposed $2.3bn EMI Music Publishing buyout". Music Business Worldwide. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
52. ^ "A Brief History of EMI: 1970-1979". The EMI Group Archive Trust. Archived from the original on 23 September 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
53. ^ a b Christman, Ed (30 September 2012). "Sony Finalizes Acquisition of Michael Jackson Estate's Stake in Sony/ATV Publishing". Billboard. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
54. ^ "We can't work it out: Paul McCartney to sue Sony for rights to Beatles classics". The Guardian. 18 January 2017. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
55. ^ "Sir Paul McCartney sues Sony over Beatles songs". BBC News. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
56. ^ "Beatles song rights dispute: Paul McCartney and Sony ATV work it out". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 3 July 2017.
57. ^ "Paul McCartney Settles with Sony/ATV to Reclaim Beatles Copyright". Fortune.com.
58. ^ "Sony Corporation and Jackson Estate Announce Closing of Sony's Purchase of Remaining 50% Interest in Sony/ATV Music Publishing". Sony.net. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
59. ^ Pulley, Brett (8 December 2002). "Who's The Unfairest of Them All?". Forbes. Archived from the original on 4 December 2003. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
60. ^ Gundersen, Edna (25 November 2003). "For Jackson, scandal could spell financial ruin". USA Today. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
61. ^ a b c Gary, Strauss (27 April 2004). "Jackson's finances are solid, adviser says". USA Today. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
62. ^ "Witness: Jacko Lived Way Above Means". Fox News. 3 May 2005. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
63. ^ "Family: Michael Jackson Had A Will". CBS News. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
64. ^ Zack O'Malley Greenburg (26 June 2009). "Michael Jackson's Estate Sale". Forbes. Retrieved 27 June 2009.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Guest, Lynton (2006). The Trials of Michael Jackson. Aureus Publishing. ISBN 1-899750-40-1.
* Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, WV: Headline. ISBN 9781559720649.

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[edit]

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* Optiarc
* PVM-4300
* Qualia
* Rolly
* TR-55
* Trinitron
* FD series
* 1 inch Type C
* U-matic
* Vaio
* Watchman
* WEGA

Electronics|

* Sony Creative Software
* FeliCa Networks (57%)

Online distribution
platforms|

* PlayStation Network
* PlayStation Plus
* PlayStation Store
* Sony Pictures Core
* SonyLIV
* Crunchyroll
* mora
* Great American Pure Flix (joint venture with Great American Media)

| Former/Defunct|

* Sony Entertainment Network
* Sony Connect
* PlayNow
* PlayStation Now
* PlayStation Video
* PlayStation Vue
* Anime Digital Network
* Anime on Demand
* AnimeLab
* Crackle
* Minisodes
* Funimation
* PressPlay
* VRV
* Wakanim

|

Other businesses|

* Sony DADC
* Sony Network Communications
* Sony Professional Solutions
* Sony Honda Mobility (50%)
* M3 (39.4%)
* Vaio (4.9%)

Other assets|

* Sony Corporation of America (umbrella company in the US)
* Other subsidiaries
* List of acquisitions
* List of libraries

Nonprofit organizations|

* Sony Institute of Higher Education Shohoku College

Other|

* Sony Toshiba IBM Center of Competence for the Cell Processor
* Sony timer

* v
* t
* e

Sony Music Entertainment

Key personnel|

* Rob Stringer
* Kevin Kelleher

Flagship|

* Columbia Records
* RCA Records
* Epic Records
* Arista Records

Nashville|

* Columbia Nashville
* RCA Records Nashville
* Provident Label Group
* The Orchard

Sony Masterworks|

* Sony Classical Records
* Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
* Portrait Records
* Milan Records
* RCA Red Seal Records
* Okeh Records

UK|

* Black Butter Records
* Syco Music (50%)
* Relentless Records
* Ministry of Sound

Japan|

* Epic Records Japan
* Kioon Music
* Ariola Japan
* mora
* Sacra Music
* Aniplex
* Aniplex of America
* A-1 Pictures
* CloverWorks
* Crunchyroll, LLC (co-owned with Sony Pictures)
* Crunchyroll
* Crunchyroll EMEA
* Crunchyroll SAS
* Crunchyroll SA
* Crunchyroll GmbH
* Crunchyroll Films
* Crunchyroll Studios
* Crunchyroll Games LLC
* Crunchyroll UK and Ireland
* Crunchyroll Store Australia
* Music On! TV
* Peanuts Worldwide (39%)
* The First Take

Distribution|

* AWAL
* The Orchard
* IODA
* RED Music
* Red Essential
* TVT Records

Other labels|

* Alamo Records
* Som Livre
* RCA Inspiration
* Phonogenic Records
* Ultra Records
* Century Media Records
* Legacy Recordings
* Kemosabe Records
* Dischi Ricordi
* Robbins Entertainment
* Somethin' Else
* Sony Music Publishing
* Sony Music Australia
* Sony Music Mexico
* Sony Music India
* Sony Music South
* Sony Music Latin
* Sony Music Philippines
* Vevo
* Volcano Entertainment

* v
* t
* e

Music industry

Major companies
and organizations|

| Representatives|

* AMPROFON
* ARIA
* BVMI
* BPI
* Music Canada
* FIMI
* IFPI (worldwide)
* PMB
* PROMUSICAE
* RIAA
* SNEP

|

Publishers|

* BMG Rights Management
* Sony Music Publishing
* Universal Music Publishing Group
* Warner Chappell Music
* Disney Music Publishing

Record labels|

* Major: Sony
* Universal
* Warner
* Independent: Concord
* Independent UK record labels
* AAMG

Retailers|

* Amazon
* Digital music stores (iTunes Store)
* Fnac
* HMV
* Kaspien
* Virgin Megastores

Live music|

* CTS Eventim
* Live Nation
* LiveStyle
* Ticketmaster

Major genres|

* Blues
* Country
* Easy listening
* Electronic
* Experimental
* Folk
* Gospel
* Hip hop
* Jazz
* Latin
* Metal
* New Age
* Pop
* Reggae
* Rhythm and blues
* Rock
* World

Sectors
and roles|

* Album cover design
* Artists and repertoire (A&R)
* Disc jockey
* Distribution
* Entertainment law
* Music education
* Music executive
* Music and fashion
* Music journalism
* Music publisher
* Music store
* Music venue
* Musical instruments
* Professional audio store
* Promotion
* Radio promotion
* Record label
* Record shop
* Road crew
* Talent manager
* Tour promoter

| Production|

* Arrangement
* Songwriter
* Composer
* Lyricist
* Conductor
* Disc jockey
* Hip hop producer
* Horn section
* Record producer
* Rhythm section
* Orchestrator
* Session musician
* Backup singer
* Ghost singer
* Vocal coach
* Ghostwriter
* Sound engineer

|

Release
formats|

* Single (Extended play (EP), 12" single, Cassette single, CD single, Maxi single)
* Album
* Double album, Mixtape
* Music video
* Promotional recording
* Phonograph record
* Eight-track
* Compact cassette
* CD
* DVD
* Airplay
* Music download
* Music streaming service

Live shows|

* Concert
* Concert tour
* Concert residency
* Music festival
* Music competition

Charts|

* ARIA Charts
* Billboard Hot 100
* Billboard Argentina Hot 100
* Billboard Brasil Hot 100
* Canadian Hot 100
* Circle Chart
* G-Music chart
* Irish Singles Chart
* Italian singles chart
* GfK Entertainment charts
* Entertainment Monitoring Africa
* Oricon charts
* New Zealand singles chart
* Rolling Stone Top 100
* Sino Chart
* TME Physical Album Sales Chart
* SNEP singles chart
* Sverigetopplistan
* UK singles chart

Publications|

* Billboard
* HitQuarters
* Hot Press
* Kerrang!
* Mojo
* Musica e dischi
* NME
* Q
* Rolling Stone
* Smash Hits
* Top of the Pops

Television|

| Channels|

* Channel V
* CMT
* Fuse
* Mnet
* MTV
* MTV2
* Tr3s
* MuchMusic
* The Music Factory
* Viva
* VH1
* The Country Network

|

Series|

* Idol franchise
* Popstars
* Star Academy
* The Four
* The Voice
* The X Factor
* Rising Star

Achievements|

* Music award
* Best-selling music artists
* In: Brazil
* Finland
* Germany
* Japan
* United Kingdom (Females)
* United States
* Genre:
* Gospel
* Latin
* Nationality:
* Belgian
* Brazilian
* British
* Italian
* Swedish
* Best-selling albums
* by country
* Latin
* Best-selling singles
* by country
* Highest-paid musicians
* Highest-grossing live music artists
* Highest-grossing concert tours
* by women
* Latin
* Most-attended concert tours
* Most-attended concerts
* Global Recording Artist of the Year
* Wealthiest musical artists

Other|

* Album era
* Album-equivalent unit
* A-side and B-side
* Backmasking
* Bootleg recording
* Christian music industry
* Environmental impact
* Hidden track
* Largest music deals
* Largest recorded music markets
* Most expensive albums
* Most valuable records
* Music certification
* Parental Advisory
* Record sales
* Surprise album
* White label

* Record production portal
* Category

* v
* t
* e

Michael Jackson

* Albums
* Singles
* Songs
* Videography
* Unreleased songs
* Awards
* Records and achievements
* Cultural impact

Studio albums|

* Got to Be There
* Ben
* Music & Me
* Forever, Michael
* Off the Wall
* Thriller
* Bad
* Dangerous
* HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
* Invincible

Posthumous albums|

* Michael
* Xscape

Anniversary reissues|

* Thriller 25
* Bad 25
* Thriller 40

Remix albums|

* The Original Soul of Michael Jackson
* Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix
* The Stripped Mixes
* The Remix Suite

Soundtracks|

* The Wiz
* E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
* Michael Jackson's This Is It
* Immortal

Compilations|

* The Best of Michael Jackson
* One Day in Your Life
* 18 Greatest Hits
* Farewell My Summer Love
* Looking Back to Yesterday
* The Michael Jackson Mix
* 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Michael Jackson
* Love Songs
* Greatest Hits: HIStory Volume I
* Number Ones
* The Essential Michael Jackson
* King of Pop
* The Definitive Collection
* Icon
* Scream

Box sets|

* Anthology
* The Ultimate Collection
* Visionary: The Video Singles
* The Motown Years
* The Collection
* Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection

Concert tours|

* Bad World Tour
* Dangerous World Tour
* HIStory World Tour
* This Is It (canceled)

Specials|

* Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
* Super Bowl XXVII halftime show
* MJ & Friends
* 30th Anniversary Celebration
* United We Stand: What More Can I Give
* Live at the Apollo

Video albums|

* Dangerous: The Short Films
* Video Greatest Hits – HIStory
* HIStory on Film, Volume II
* Number Ones
* The One
* Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour
* Michael Jackson's Vision
* Live at Wembley July 16, 1988

Films|

* Michael Jackson's Thriller
* Captain EO
* Moonwalker
* Michael Jackson's Ghosts
* Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies
* Michael Jackson's This Is It

Television|

* Free to Be... You and Me
* The Jacksons
* "Stark Raving Dad" (The Simpsons)
* Michael Jackson Talks ... to Oprah
* Move Like Michael Jackson
* Living with Michael Jackson
* The Michael Jackson Interview: The Footage You Were Never Meant To See
* "The Jeffersons" (South Park)
* "Michael" (Glee)
* Michael Jackson's Halloween

Video games|

* Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
* The Experience
* Planet Michael
* Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2
* Sonic the Hedgehog 3
* Space Channel 5
* Space Channel 5: Part 2
* Dreamcast Collection

Books|

* Moonwalk
* Dancing the Dream

Documentaries|

* The Life of an Icon
* Bad 25
* The Last Photo Shoots
* Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall
* Square One: Michael Jackson
* Killing Michael Jackson
* Thriller 40

Biographical films|

* The Jacksons: An American Dream (miniseries)
* Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story
* Searching for Neverland
* Michael

Stage shows|

* Thriller – Live
* Michael Forever – The Tribute Concert
* The Immortal World Tour
* Motown: The Musical
* One
* MJ the Musical

Personal life|

* Health and appearance
* Personal relationships
* Jackson family
* Paris Jackson
* Lisa Marie Presley
* Debbie Rowe

Abuse allegations|

* 1993 allegations
* 2005 trial
* Posthumous allegations
* FBI files

Death|

* Memorial service
* Conrad Murray
* trial

Influence|

* Moonwalk
* Robot
* Philanthropy
* Cover versions
* Monuments, memorials and namesakes
* Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
* Mesoparapylocheles michaeljacksoni
* Thrill the World
* Thriller viral video
* World Vitiligo Day
* Sonic the Hedgehog
* Ulala
* Impersonators
* Michael Jackson fandom
* On the Wall
* Heal the World Foundation

Related|

* The Jackson 5
* The Jackson 5 discography
* Jackson 5ive
* Estate of Michael Jackson
* Thriller jacket
* Fulham F.C. statue
* The Magic and the Madness
* Michael Jackson and Bubbles
* MJ Gallery at Ponte 16
* "We Had Him"
* You Are Not Alone
* Michael Jackson, Inc.
* Hayvenhurst
* Neverland Ranch
* Thriller Villa
* The MJCast
* Northern Songs
* Sony/ATV Music Publishing
* Mijac Music
* Bubbles
* Peter Pan syndrome
* Mister Lonely
* We Are the World
* Mind Is the Magic: Anthem for the Las Vegas Show
* Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson
* Rava on the Dance Floor
* Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson
* "Better on the Other Side"
* "Home"
* "Eat It"
* "Fat"
* Return of the Moonwalker
* Monument to Michael Jackson (film)
* Sheikh Jackson
* The Last Days of Michael Jackson
* Neverland Firsthand: Investigating the Michael Jackson Documentary
* Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth
* MJ (album)

* Category

* v
* t
* e

The Beatles

* John Lennon
* Paul McCartney
* George Harrison
* Ringo Starr

* Stuart Sutcliffe
* Pete Best
* Chas Newby
* Norman Chapman
* Tommy Moore
* Jimmie Nicol

* Outline
* Timeline

History|

* The Quarrymen
* In Hamburg
* At the Cavern Club
* Decca audition
* North American releases
* Beatlemania
* "More popular than Jesus"
* In Bangor
* In India
* Break-up
* Murder of John Lennon
* Anthology
* Line-ups
* Religious views
* Timeline

Lists|

* Awards and nominations
* Bootlegs
* Albums
* Singles
* Films
* Instruments
* Live performances
* Performers
* Post-breakup collaborations
* Songs
* Cover versions of Beatles songs
* Songs covered by the Beatles
* Recording sessions
* Tributes

Tours and
performances|

* 1960 Johnny Gentle Tour
* Winter 1963 Helen Shapiro Tour
* 1963 Roy Orbison Tour
* The Ed Sullivan Show appearances
* 1964 world tour
* The Beatles' 1964 tour of Australia
* 1964 North American tour
* 1965 European tour
* 1965 US tour
* 1965 UK tour
* 1966 tour of Germany, Japan and the Philippines
* 1966 US tour
* Our World performance
* Rooftop concert

Personnel|

| Management|

* Neil Aspinall
* Tony Barrow
* Peter Brown
* Brian Epstein
* Mal Evans
* Dick James
* Freda Kelly
* Allen Klein
* Alan Livingston
* Joseph Lockwood
* Alistair Taylor
* Derek Taylor
* Allan Williams

|

Production|

* Geoff Emerick
* Richard Lush
* George Martin
* Phil McDonald
* Billy Preston
* Ron Richards
* Ken Scott
* Tony Sheridan
* Phil Spector
* Norman Smith
* Chris Thomas

Associated
companies|

* Apple Corps
* Apple Records
* Capitol Records
* EMI
* Harrisongs
* Northern Songs
* Parlophone
* Seltaeb
* Startling Music
* Swan Records
* Tollie Records
* United Artists
* United Artists Records
* Vee-Jay Records

Associated
places|

* 10 Admiral Grove
* 12 Arnold Grove
* 20 Forthlin Road
* 251 Menlove Avenue
* 34 Montagu Square, Marylebone
* Abbey Road, London
* Abbey Road Studios
* Ad Lib Club
* The Bag O'Nails
* Beatles Ashram
* Beatles-Platz
* Blue Angel
* Casbah Coffee Club
* Candlestick Park
* Carnegie Hall
* The Cavern Club
* Cavern Mecca
* Comiskey Park
* The Jacaranda
* Kaiserkeller
* Kinfauns
* London Palladium
* Penny Lane, Liverpool
* 3 Savile Row
* The Scotch of St. James
* Shea Stadium
* St Peter's Church
* Stanley Street
* Star-Club
* Strawberry Field
* Tittenhurst Park
* Top Ten Club

Selected books|

* The Beatles Anthology
* The Beatles: The Authorised Biography
* The Beatles: All These Years
* A Cellarful of Noise
* I, Me, Mine
* Lennon Remembers
* Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now

Other topics|

* Apple Corps v Apple Computer
* Apple scruffs
* Beatle boot
* The Beatles at Abbey Road
* The Beatles Monument
* The Beatles Statue
* Beatlesque
* Beat music
* Cultural impact
* Fifth Beatle
* Global Beatles Day
* Images of a Woman
* Lennon–McCartney
* "Paul is dead"
* Pop Go the Beatles
* Recording practices
* automatic double tracking
* Let It Be (musical)
* The Beatles: Rock Band
* songs
* The Rutles

* Category

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

Other|

* MusicBrainz label
* 2

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