Universal Publishing Production Music Strikes Landmark Deal With SESAC To Bring Songwriters More Revenue

As part of Universal Music Publishing Group’s ongoing effort to deliver greater value to songwriters, its production music arm, Universal Publishing Production Music (UPPM), announced today a new agreement with SESAC to enhance UPPM songwriters’ compensation.
The agreement, which is effective April 1, 2016, covers those production music songs controlled by UPPM that were previously registered with ASCAP for U.S. exploitation. It does not affect royalties collected outside of the U.S.

“We’re proud that this agreement provides greater value to our songwriters and pleased to expand our relationship with SESAC,” said Gary Gross, Worldwide President of UPPM. “Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to maximize writers’ revenues and bring them as many creative opportunities as we can,” Gross continued. “We will continue to work on our writers’ behalf, and note that our relationship with ASCAP remains close.”

The agreement removes a specific universe of works from the ASCAP repertory and does not affect a songwriter’s decision to continue overall membership in ASCAP.

For the covered production music songs, ASCAP will continue to pay songwriters royalties through March 31, 2016, as well as for “licenses in effect” through the expiration of those licenses.

Source: Universal Music