Lyric licensing platform LyricFind has signed a blanket deal for 38 African markets with South African mechanical rights organization, CAPASSO.
CAPASSO (Composers, Authors and Publishers Association) covers African repertoire from 38 countries, through affiliated African societies.
The deal with the Johannesburg-based agency means that South Africa and 37 other African countries’ songs will now be fully licensed and monetized by LyricFind across Africa.
It also allows all international repertoire to be ‘exhibited’ and monetized in these countries.
The agreement also notably covers legal lyric translations of global music into African and other languages (and vice versa).
The 38 countries include Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina-Faso, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, DRC, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome e Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
“This was truly a group effort. This agreement evolved thanks to many meetings at MIDEM as CAPASSO developed as the South African Mechanical Rights Society.”
Robert Singerman, LyricFind
Robert Singerman, VP, International Music Publishing at LyricFind said: “This was truly a group effort. This agreement evolved thanks to many meetings at MIDEM as CAPASSO developed as the South African Mechanical Rights Society.
“It would not have happened without the generous assistance of CAPASSO and SAMRO Board member David Alexander of Sheer Music, Africa’s biggest independent music publisher, the CAPASSO team, especially Warrick Percy and strong relationships with Renneth Tshisikule of IMEXSA, the South African music export office.”
SAMRO Board member David Alexander said: “I am pleased that this deal has finally been closed because global income for lyrics is on the rise and it is now an important part of the Songwriter and Publisher’s revenue streams.”
“This agreement will now ensure that African composers are properly represented and accounted for thanks to the wonderful work being done by Lyricfind.”
Warrick Percy, CAPASSO
Warrick Percy, Head of Licensing and Business Development at CAPASSO, added: “This agreement is the first of its kind for CAPASSO. Reprographic rights account for roughly 8% of music publishing royalties worldwide.
“Thus far, CAPASSO have not been in a position to monetize and collect these royalties on behalf of African composers despite extensive usage taking place.
“This agreement will now ensure that African composers are properly represented and accounted for thanks to the wonderful work being done by Lyricfind.”
LyricFind expanded into Brazil in October, after signing deals with the country’s main publishers and PRO.Music Business Worldwide
