Who Owns the Recording and Publishing Rights to Queen’s and Freddie Mercury’s Songs?
As of my last update, the ownership of recording and publishing rights for Queen's and Freddie Mercury's songs has evolved over the years, reflecting the growing value of music catalogs and the increasing interest in music as an investment asset. Understanding who owns these rights is crucial for musicians, their families, and music industry professionals.
Recording Rights
The majority of Queen's recording rights are currently held by Universal Music Group (UMG). UMG acquired these rights as part of its purchase of EMI Records in 2012. This purchase included the master recordings of Queen's albums, which are the actual performances and recordings of the songs. UMG manages and distributes these recordings, ensuring that they are available across multiple platforms, from traditional retail channels to modern streaming services.
Publishing Rights
Queen's publishing rights are primarily managed by their own company, Queen Music Ltd., controlled by the surviving members of the band: Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. This arrangement allows the band members to retain control over the copyrights to their compositions and to earn royalties from licensing and various uses of their music. These royalties can be significant, especially in the context of an ongoing demand for music across various platforms, including streaming services, commercials, and film and television soundtracks.
Freddie Mercury's Solo Works
Freddie Mercury's solo works, like Queen's music, are managed through similar channels. Some of Freddie Mercury's solo rights may fall under the same umbrella as Queen's music, making it a coherent and valuable portfolio for the surviving band members.
The Trend of Premiums for Publishing Rights
A trend of premium payments for publishing rights has emerged, driven by several factors. The increasing value of music catalogs has become more apparent as music industry players recognize the long-term earning potential of these assets. The rise of streaming services has further contributed to the worth of music rights, as these platforms continue to grow and diversify. Additionally, a growing interest in music as an investment asset has led to significant acquisitions and valuations of music rights.
The value of music catalogs, especially those from iconic artists like Queen, has been validated by major music industry deals. For example, in 1972, Queen signed a production deal with Trident Studios. Later in their career, the band signed record contracts with EMI and, in the United States, with Elektra and Capitol Records. However, in 1990, Queen terminated their contract with Capitol Records and signed with Disney's Hollywood Records, which remains the current owner and distributor of Queen's entire music catalogue in North America.
Disney Hollywood Records and Queen's Back Catalogue
Disney Hollywood Records acquired the Queen back catalogue in 1990 after the band dissolved their contract with Capitol Records. Although they have retained the distributing rights, they have not altered the ownership of the publishing rights. This means that the surviving members of Queen continue to manage and benefit from the income generated by their compositions.
Conclusion
The ownership of recording and publishing rights for Queen and Freddie Mercury's songs is a complex but important aspect of the music industry. With the increasing value of these rights, it is crucial for fans, artists, and industry professionals to understand who owns and manages these assets. The current arrangement, with Universal Music Group holding the recording rights and Queen Music Ltd. managing the publishing rights, ensures that the legacy of Queen and Freddie Mercury continues to thrive.