Universal Music Publishing International (UMPI) and SACEM (France’s Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music) have struck a licensing deal with SoundCloud for its ad-supported platform and newly launched subscription service, Go.
The pan-European agreement will bring SACEM and UMPI’s Anglo-American repertoire to SoundCloud in 33 territories, with authors, composers and publishers receiving fair remuneration for the use of their works on the streaming service.
It follows similar agreements with indie label body Merlin, Universal, Warner, Sony, Sony/ATV, PRS for Music and the NMPA.
UMPI and SACEM concluded the deal prior to the launch of SoundCloud Go in the UK, Ireland and France in May, after first arriving in the US in March, and was jointly signed under their Direct European Administration and Licensing (DEAL) initiative.
The initiative is a pan-European licensing joint venture that works as a one-stop for UMPI and SACEM repertoire in the region.
“Universal Music Publishing International is delighted to have worked with our partner SACEM to conclude this deal, which makes our music widely accessible to European consumers and allows for our songwriters to be properly compensated through SoundCloud’s platform.”
Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group (pictured), said: “Universal Music Publishing International is delighted to have worked with our partner SACEM to conclude this deal, which makes our music widely accessible to European consumers and allows for our songwriters to be properly compensated through SoundCloud’s platform.
“It is another example of our commitment to facilitate licensing while protecting the rights of our songwriters and delivering the greatest value.”
Jean-Noël Tronc, CEO of SACEM, commented: “This first agreement with SoundCloud demonstrates SACEM’s commitment to be highly reactive and to provide the proper remuneration of the creators in the digital environment.
“We are proud to further develop DEAL, our strategic partnership with UMPI. This agreement now allows authors, composers and publishers a better exposure of their works in all type of music.”
Alex Ljung, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, SoundCloud, added: “We’re thrilled to have reached yet another agreement that will allow us to further our mission to strengthen and grow our unique community of more than 12 million creators – established and emerging – heard each month on SoundCloud.
“Our agreement with SACEM and UMPI, which we can add to a growing number of significant arrangements we have completed, allows us to continue to create a place where all creativity can live, while simultaneously ensuring rightsholders’ work is rewarded and respected.”
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