Facebook signs licensing agreements with HFA/Rumblefish, Kobalt and Global Music Rights

Facebook signs licensing agreements with HFA/Rumblefish, Kobalt and Global Music Rights

Facebook just signed three more key music licensing agreements with SESAC’s HFA/Rumblefish platform, HFA/RumblefishMusic Publishing and Irving Azoff’s Global Music Rights. The deals come after previous agreements with the majors Universal Music Group and Sony/ATV.

The deals will enable Facebook to provide social features that involve Rumblefish, Kobalt and GMR-managed music across Facebook, Instagram and Oculus.

SESAC explained that this new Facebook agreement – a standardized deal in which indie publishers can choose to opt in, according to "Music Business Worldwide" – will provide "streamline music licensing and administration for the independent publishing market".

Willard Ahdritz, Kobalt Founder & CEO of Kobalt, commented:

In the spirit of a true partnership, Facebook will ensure songwriters are paid fairly and new revenue streams are created for user uploaded video. We look forward to working closely with Facebook throughout our partnership. And, Kobalt is committed to distributing royalties in a fully transparent way.

Irving Azoff of Global Music Rights said:

Our partnership with Facebook reflects that when music is valued properly, it’s easy for both sides to view it as a win-win.