News

An Open Letter to UMPG Songwriters

Our core mission is simple: to help our artists and songwriters attain their greatest creative and commercial potential.  To achieve these goals, our teams employ their expertise and passion to strike deals with partners all around the world, partners who take seriously their responsibilities to fairly compensate our artists and songwriters and treat the user experience with respect.

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Universal Production Music launches ‘Universal Music For Creators,’ subscription-model music library for digital content makers

Universal Production Music, a division of Universal Music Publishing Group, today announced the launch of Universal Music for Creators, a new subscription music licensing service that provides content creators with claim-free, premium music and sound effects for online videos at an all-inclusive price. 

Under its innovative subscription model, Universal Music for Creators provides consumers with unlimited access to its pre-cleared music and sound effects library, starting at $5.99 per month. The program is packed with over 50,000 top-quality tracks and 200,000 sound effects, powered by a team that is constantly sourcing and creating the newest sounds to meet the dynamic needs of today's creators. 

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Universal Music Publishing Group signs legendary Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz to exclusive, global publishing agreement

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Universal Music Group’s leading global publishing division, today announced that superstar Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz has been signed to an exclusive, global publishing agreement. 

Through the new agreement, UMPG represents the majority of Schwartz’ renowned catalogue. One of the most prominent composers in theater history, Schwartz has written songs for iconic Broadway hits WICKED (including “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” & “For Good) – which has been adapted into a two-part major motion picture starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Schwartz is also the mastermind behind scores for GODSPELL, PIPPIN, THE MAGIC SHOW, THE BAKER’S WIFE, WORKING, RAGS, and CHILDREN OF EDEN, as well as young audience musicals CAPTAIN LOUIE and Disney’s MY SON PINOCCHIO.

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UMPG update on Phonorecords III

I write today to ensure you’ve heard the good news that the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) issued its Final Determination upholding the rate increases in the Phonorecords III case. This covers on-demand digital streaming royalties for the years 2018-2022.

We expect these escalating topline revenue rate increases to result in more royalties paid to songwriters and publishers. This is in addition to the topline revenue royalty rate increase resulting from the settlement between the DSPs and Publishers for 2023-2027 in the Phonorecords IV case. Under the Phonorecords IV settlement, topline revenue royalty rates increased are increasing gradually from 15.1% to 15.35%.

As a long-time champion of songwriters’ rights and protections, we are pleased with this result, but of course there remains work to do. We are fully committed to driving continued progress to ensure that songwriters are fairly compensated, and that your immense value is recognized.

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