Timberlake sells 100% of his rights
Justin Timberlake is saying “Bye Bye Bye” to his song catalog as he sells it to Hipgnosis Song Management. The company has acquired 100% of Timberlake’s copyright, ownership and financial interests in the writer and publisher’s share of his public performance income and the catalog of musical compositions written by the pop star.
Hipgnosis has also obtained the worldwide administration rights to the music, but is subject to the remaining term of Universal Music’s administration rights, which expire in 2025.
“I am excited to be partnering with Merck and Hipgnosis – he values artists and their creative work and has always been a strong supporter of songwriters and storytelling,” Timberlake shares. “I look forward to entering this next chapter.”
While terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, the Wall Street Journal cites sources that it sold “just above $100 million.”
Timberlake, who skyrocketed into the spotlight as a member of NSYNC in 1995, is the latest artist to sell a catalog. Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Travis Tritt, Motley Crue, Paul Simon, David Crosby, Neil Young, The Beach Boys, and others have all sold part of or 100% of their catalogs in recent years.
