EMI take back the reins over digital licensing

News: 31st May 2011 by Louise Dodgson under Finance, Law & Music Business, Music Publishing, Record Labels

Although handling their back catalogue in-house may make things simpler for EMI, it could have a knock on effect on the rest of the music publishing industry and independent songwriters. Normally handled by royalty collection body ASCAP (for USA), EMI's catalogue will now be reclaimed by the major label and all licensing deals will be dealt with through the label directly. However it looks as though this move may not make life simpler for everyone else; it could affect the bargaining power that collection societies such as ASCAP hold and in turn reduce the royalty rates that songwriters that don't have a publishing deal receive.