XxAxX said:

Its officially the End of Days. NPG under license to WB??? Did anyone ever think they'd live to see the day??????? Wow. What would P say bout this I wonder.....

Art Official Age was (c)NPG under license to WB, so I guess he'd be ok with it. Well, he must have been. If he wished anything else, he'd have made a will.

XxAxX said:

Its officially the End of Days. NPG under license to WB??? Did anyone ever think they'd live to see the day??????? Wow. What would P say bout this I wonder.....

In past posts when we've talked about the 2014 deal, the masters, etc., I've made the note about how the tables turned. It really is a wonder to see "NPG Records, exclusively licensed to Warner Bros Records". And remember, this was a thing well before he passed away. This was part of the 2014 distribution deal for AOA & PE. He got his masters back. It's partly why the vinyl remasters started coming out with that "NPG Records, exclusively licensed to WB" on them. That was way, way before April 21, 2016.

They're now paying him to release his own music. That's really what he wanted all along. It's what he fought years for, even after his publishing & recording contracts were done. It always made me wince when I'd hear "I don't even own Purple Rain" on TV shows. He finally did, and everything else through his WB years. That battle was won.

TrivialPursuit said:

XxAxX said:

Its officially the End of Days. NPG under license to WB??? Did anyone ever think they'd live to see the day??????? Wow. What would P say bout this I wonder.....

In past posts when we've talked about the 2014 deal, the masters, etc., I've made the note about how the tables turned. It really is a wonder to see "NPG Records, exclusively licensed to Warner Bros Records". And remember, this was a thing well before he passed away. This was part of the 2014 distribution deal for AOA & PE. He got his masters back. It's partly why the vinyl remasters started coming out with that "NPG Records, exclusively licensed to WB" on them. That was way, way before April 21, 2016.

They're now paying him to release his own music. That's really what he wanted all along. It's what he fought years for, even after his publishing & recording contracts were done. It always made me wince when I'd hear "I don't even own Purple Rain" on TV shows. He finally did, and everything else through his WB years. That battle was won.

i know. full circle

XxAxX said:

Its officially the End of Days. NPG under license to WB??? Did anyone ever think they'd live to see the day??????? Wow. What would P say bout this I wonder.....

He signed the deal to have NPG under license he even sent out the press releash.

laurarichardson said:

XxAxX said:

Its officially the End of Days. NPG under license to WB??? Did anyone ever think they'd live to see the day??????? Wow. What would P say bout this I wonder.....

He signed the deal to have NPG under license he even sent out the press releash.

Wait a minute... Laura... Are you?... Sean Connery?!

TheEnglishGent said:

XxAxX said:

Its officially the End of Days. NPG under license to WB??? Did anyone ever think they'd live to see the day??????? Wow. What would P say bout this I wonder.....

Art Official Age was (c)NPG under license to WB, so I guess he'd be ok with it. Well, he must have been. If he wished anything else, he'd have made a will.

What would a will have done concerning this deal. Wills do not void contracts. He should have had a trust and even that would not have voided the contract for licensing with WB.

TheEnglishGent said:

laurarichardson said:

He signed the deal to have NPG under license he even sent out the press releash.

Wait a minute... Laura... Are you?... Sean Connery?!

No, I am puzzled as the why this is still being discussed a little over 3 years later. This was a big news story and still people feel that something was being done against his will. When right now members of his own family are okay with estate managers working to undo this deal as well as others which in turn has caused lawsuits or pending suits. UMG now has an attorney representing them concerning the licensing deal that Lonnie made with them despite the WB deal being in tact.

-----

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6062423/prince-deal-with-warner-bros-new-album-coming

rogifan said:

sonshine said:

rogifan said:

I know that's for the PR album. But the website is called official Prince music not official Purple Rain. Hence my confusion. I wish there was an official Prince website for everything. Not one for PP, one for this PR reissue, another for something in the future etc. It's all very confusing.
EDIT: looking at the store it's clear this is a Warner Brothers site. Once again no Warner Brothers music basically non-existent. Sigh.
http://store.officialprin...sic-1.html
[Edited 4/28/17 12:01pm]

My Tidal subscription is still the best money i've spent since his passing. I only wish the physical CD's were available, but i finally own some of his music I had all but given up on.

laurarichardson said:

oliviacamron said:

laurarichardson said:

No, I am puzzled as the why this is still being discussed a little over 3 years later. This was a big news story and still people feel that something was being done against his will. When right now members of his own family are okay with estate managers working to undo this deal as well as others which in turn has caused lawsuits or pending suits. UMG now has an attorney representing them concerning the licensing deal that Lonnie made with them despite the WB deal being in tact.

-----

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6062423/prince-deal-with-warner-bros-new-album-coming

Prince Gains His Catalog in Landmark Deal With Warner Bros.; New Album Coming

4/18/2014 by Ed Christman

• FACEBOOK
• TWITTER
• EMAIL ME

Prince

The legendary artist returns to Warner Bros. Records, will re-release "Purple Rain" and "other planned projects"

Prince has returned to Warner Bros. Records after 18 years with a deal that will see him regain ownership of his catalog. His classic Warner albums like "Dirty Mind," "Controversy" and "1999" will continue to be licensed through Warner Bros as part of a new global agreement.

As part of the deal, Prince's classic "Purple Rain" album will be re-released in a remastered deluxe version in time for the 30th anniversary of the album and movie. Other planned re-issue projects will follow and Prince will issue a new album too, although it is unclear if that title is a part of the deal.

"A brand-new studio album is on the way and both Warner Bros Records and Eye (sic) are quite pleased with the results of the negotiations and look forward to a fruitful working relationship," Prince said in a statement

Prince's Paisley Archives: 10 Items From Vault We'd Love to See Released

More Prince

• Prince Brings His Publishing In-House
• Prince Drops 'New Girl' D... with Epic
• Prince Debuts Funky Song,...ow': Watch

Prince famously had a highly publicized and turbulent split from Warner Bros. in 1996 when he called himself a slave to the label, changed his name to a symbol, and condemned the way the major label system worked.

This deal marks a new era as the ability to terminate master recording copyright after 35 years was granted in the Copyright Revision Act of 1976 and became effective in 1978, the year that Prince's debut album came out.

Prince albums have scanned 18.5 million units in the United States since Nielsen SoundScan's inception in 1991; albums issued by Warner Bros. Records have sold 14.3 million units, Billboard calculates based on SoundScan's data.

As 2013 loomed, record label executives and artists managers said that they were unsure how copyright terminations and ownership reversions would play out as they expected a precedent-setting court case to decide whether the "work-for-hire" clause in standard recording contracts could successfully be challenged by artists. Works created under work-for-hire contracts are not eligible for copyright reversion. But privately some label executives have also said that in some instances the wiser course might be to negotiate the reversions and retain control of issuing artists' catalog eligible for copyright terminations.

In cutting what appears to be a landmark deal, Prince has chosen to remain with the label that was the subject of his ire back in the 1990's avoiding a risky and costly legal battle and still regains ownership of his catalog.

Financial terms and length of the licensing deal were not disclosed; nor does the announcement make clear on whether the artist is gaining ownership of his catalog all at once; or more likely as each album becomes eligible for copyright termination.

The Warner Music Group decline to provide further comment on the details of the deal. But Warner Bros. Records chairman and CEO Cameron Strang said in a statement: "Everyone at Warner Bros Records is delighted to be working with Prince once again: he is one of the world's biggest stars and a truly unique talent. We are also very excited about the release of new and re-mastered music from one of his greatest masterpieces."

So as part of the deal for Prince to get his masters back, they were supposed to re release Purple Rain but that deal fell through. Something went wrong. Prince said new people at WB didn't want to pay him properly, time for fans to picket. 20 years ago Prince said WB wanted to kill him . Now people still don't think WB somehow put those poisoned pills in that bottle. People, just listen to his lyrics. Oops wrong thread, oh well [Edited 5/3/17 9:48am]

I suspect he had an issue with money but if there was a contract this was going to come out eventrully and you never know he may have resolved his issues with WB. He made no more comments about it. I do not think WB has Prince killed they were in business with him to make money and this is not even the same company or people he was dealing with 20 years ago.

rogifan said:

sonshine said:

My Tidal subscription is still the best money i've spent since his passing. I only wish the physical CD's were available, but i finally own some of his music I had all but given up on.

I don't have a Tidal subscription but I purchased a few albums (like Lotusflow3r) since I have no clue when they will be available outside of Tidal.

Here's an idea...Prince Estate.

Put the 1983 First Avenue video performance on the official website for sale!

Is that too hard?

williamb610 said:

Here's an idea...Prince Estate.

Put the 1983 First Avenue video performance on the official website for sale!

Is that too hard?

They are too busy "shopping" it to streaming services...

http://www.billboard.com/...g-services

laurarichardson said:

TheEnglishGent said:

Wait a minute... Laura... Are you?... Sean Connery?!

No, I am puzzled as the why this is still being discussed a little over 3 years later. This was a big news story and still people feel that something was being done against his will. When right now members of his own family are okay with estate managers working to undo this deal as well as others which in turn has caused lawsuits or pending suits. UMG now has an attorney representing them concerning the licensing deal that Lonnie made with them despite the WB deal being in tact.

-----

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6062423/prince-deal-with-warner-bros-new-album-coming

Prince Gains His Catalog in Landmark Deal With Warner Bros.; New Album Coming

4/18/2014 by Ed Christman

• FACEBOOK
• TWITTER
• EMAIL ME

Prince

The legendary artist returns to Warner Bros. Records, will re-release "Purple Rain" and "other planned projects"

Prince has returned to Warner Bros. Records after 18 years with a deal that will see him regain ownership of his catalog. His classic Warner albums like "Dirty Mind," "Controversy" and "1999" will continue to be licensed through Warner Bros as part of a new global agreement.

As part of the deal, Prince's classic "Purple Rain" album will be re-released in a remastered deluxe version in time for the 30th anniversary of the album and movie. Other planned re-issue projects will follow and Prince will issue a new album too, although it is unclear if that title is a part of the deal.

"A brand-new studio album is on the way and both Warner Bros Records and Eye (sic) are quite pleased with the results of the negotiations and look forward to a fruitful working relationship," Prince said in a statement

Prince's Paisley Archives: 10 Items From Vault We'd Love to See Released

More Prince

• Prince Brings His Publishing In-House
• Prince Drops 'New Girl' D... with Epic
• Prince Debuts Funky Song,...ow': Watch

Prince famously had a highly publicized and turbulent split from Warner Bros. in 1996 when he called himself a slave to the label, changed his name to a symbol, and condemned the way the major label system worked.

This deal marks a new era as the ability to terminate master recording copyright after 35 years was granted in the Copyright Revision Act of 1976 and became effective in 1978, the year that Prince's debut album came out.

Prince albums have scanned 18.5 million units in the United States since Nielsen SoundScan's inception in 1991; albums issued by Warner Bros. Records have sold 14.3 million units, Billboard calculates based on SoundScan's data.

As 2013 loomed, record label executives and artists managers said that they were unsure how copyright terminations and ownership reversions would play out as they expected a precedent-setting court case to decide whether the "work-for-hire" clause in standard recording contracts could successfully be challenged by artists. Works created under work-for-hire contracts are not eligible for copyright reversion. But privately some label executives have also said that in some instances the wiser course might be to negotiate the reversions and retain control of issuing artists' catalog eligible for copyright terminations.

In cutting what appears to be a landmark deal, Prince has chosen to remain with the label that was the subject of his ire back in the 1990's avoiding a risky and costly legal battle and still regains ownership of his catalog.

Financial terms and length of the licensing deal were not disclosed; nor does the announcement make clear on whether the artist is gaining ownership of his catalog all at once; or more likely as each album becomes eligible for copyright termination.

The Warner Music Group decline to provide further comment on the details of the deal. But Warner Bros. Records chairman and CEO Cameron Strang said in a statement: "Everyone at Warner Bros Records is delighted to be working with Prince once again: he is one of the world's biggest stars and a truly unique talent. We are also very excited about the release of new and re-mastered music from one of his greatest masterpieces."

*in red: this has always been my question. At the time of his death, had Prince regained everything????

precioux said:

laurarichardson said:

No, I am puzzled as the why this is still being discussed a little over 3 years later. This was a big news story and still people feel that something was being done against his will. When right now members of his own family are okay with estate managers working to undo this deal as well as others which in turn has caused lawsuits or pending suits. UMG now has an attorney representing them concerning the licensing deal that Lonnie made with them despite the WB deal being in tact.

-----

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6062423/prince-deal-with-warner-bros-new-album-coming

Prince Gains His Catalog in Landmark Deal With Warner Bros.; New Album Coming

4/18/2014 by Ed Christman

• FACEBOOK
• TWITTER
• EMAIL ME

Prince

The legendary artist returns to Warner Bros. Records, will re-release "Purple Rain" and "other planned projects"

Prince has returned to Warner Bros. Records after 18 years with a deal that will see him regain ownership of his catalog. His classic Warner albums like "Dirty Mind," "Controversy" and "1999" will continue to be licensed through Warner Bros as part of a new global agreement.

As part of the deal, Prince's classic "Purple Rain" album will be re-released in a remastered deluxe version in time for the 30th anniversary of the album and movie. Other planned re-issue projects will follow and Prince will issue a new album too, although it is unclear if that title is a part of the deal.

"A brand-new studio album is on the way and both Warner Bros Records and Eye (sic) are quite pleased with the results of the negotiations and look forward to a fruitful working relationship," Prince said in a statement

Prince's Paisley Archives: 10 Items From Vault We'd Love to See Released

More Prince

• Prince Brings His Publishing In-House
• Prince Drops 'New Girl' D... with Epic
• Prince Debuts Funky Song,...ow': Watch

Prince famously had a highly publicized and turbulent split from Warner Bros. in 1996 when he called himself a slave to the label, changed his name to a symbol, and condemned the way the major label system worked.

This deal marks a new era as the ability to terminate master recording copyright after 35 years was granted in the Copyright Revision Act of 1976 and became effective in 1978, the year that Prince's debut album came out.

Prince albums have scanned 18.5 million units in the United States since Nielsen SoundScan's inception in 1991; albums issued by Warner Bros. Records have sold 14.3 million units, Billboard calculates based on SoundScan's data.

As 2013 loomed, record label executives and artists managers said that they were unsure how copyright terminations and ownership reversions would play out as they expected a precedent-setting court case to decide whether the "work-for-hire" clause in standard recording contracts could successfully be challenged by artists. Works created under work-for-hire contracts are not eligible for copyright reversion. But privately some label executives have also said that in some instances the wiser course might be to negotiate the reversions and retain control of issuing artists' catalog eligible for copyright terminations.

In cutting what appears to be a landmark deal, Prince has chosen to remain with the label that was the subject of his ire back in the 1990's avoiding a risky and costly legal battle and still regains ownership of his catalog.

Financial terms and length of the licensing deal were not disclosed; nor does the announcement make clear on whether the artist is gaining ownership of his catalog all at once; or more likely as each album becomes eligible for copyright termination.

The Warner Music Group decline to provide further comment on the details of the deal. But Warner Bros. Records chairman and CEO Cameron Strang said in a statement: "Everyone at Warner Bros Records is delighted to be working with Prince once again: he is one of the world's biggest stars and a truly unique talent. We are also very excited about the release of new and re-mastered music from one of his greatest masterpieces."

*in red: this has always been my question. At the time of his death, had Prince regained everything????

I think he did get all of them because if you look in Tidal some list NPG records as the owner and some list NPG records as the owner with license to WB. I think he got back the masters to all of the music at once with the caveat that WB got to license to the soundtracks forever and maybe internationally or just domestically forever. The license for some of the other albums may have a time limit and some may not. I cannot see WB giving Prince back all of the masters if they did not fix it so they would be able to make money off of some portion of the catalogue forever.

The stuff after he left Warners only list NPG as the owner on Tidal and I belive this is the only material the estate can really license out to anyone with no restrictions at least right now.

A lot of questions could be answered if the Tidal suit makes it to court. We might get to find out more who owns what or who has the license to what. More importantly we may find out who or if someone had POA for Prince which would give us a better idea of what was going on with him.

laurarichardson said:

precioux said:

*in red: this has always been my question. At the time of his death, had Prince regained everything????

I think he did get all of them because if you look in Tidal some list NPG records as the owner and some list NPG records as the owner with license to WB. I think he got back the masters to all of the music at once with the caveat that WB got to license to the soundtracks forever and maybe internationally or just domestically forever. The license for some of the other albums may have a time limit and some may not. I cannot see WB giving Prince back all of the masters if they did not fix it so they would be able to make money off of some portion of the catalogue forever.

The stuff after he left Warners only list NPG as the owner on Tidal and I belive this is the only material the estate can really license out to anyone with no restrictions at least right now.

A lot of questions could be answered if the Tidal suit makes it to court. We might get to find out more who owns what or who has the license to what. More importantly we may find out who or if someone had POA for Prince which would give us a better idea of what was going on with him.

Agreed!

Thanks for your response and breaking it down.

Im really gonna miss having a new Prince album released every year by Prince. RIP

......................................................................................................................

'I know I shouldnt put my faith in heroes,but I cant c u any other way'

laurarichardson said:

JAYJOE said:

I don't think Prince oversaw this whole package just the re-master of the original, he said himself it's "just the same album" and no way he would put "We can fuck" on there, the press release also states that nobody new "Electric intercourse" existed until they found it at Paisley which which sounds like l after he passed this also squashes those rumours that Warners have not been given anything from the Paisley vault

It would not have made any sense to not add extra tracks and I remember reading that they found paperwork for this project on his desk. Why would WB put the Katrina's Paper Dolls track on this project. Was this sought after by collectors or is it on here because of Vanity?

Why put the hallway speech version of Computer Blue. I doubt anyone at WB knows much about bootlegs and what fans might be looking for. I was looking for the funky version of Darling Nikki but you do not see that on this project.

We know some reneogation took place with WB and the estate via the courts doc so they surely have full access to the vault now and I do believe they have some rights to vault material from the WB years. I believe this is the reason UMG is backing out of the deal.

I think this is the last of the Prince contribution to WB projects.

Laura,I think us fans got screwed on this release. (I always thought We Can Funk didnt come round til 1985,apparently and according to WB,Im wrong)

Does anyone know why the cost is $24.89 on Amazon but on the Official Prince Music Website it is $32.98? Why the price difference?

ISaidLifeIsJustAGame said:

Does anyone know why the cost is $24.89 on Amazon but on the Official Prince Music Website it is $32.98? Why the price difference?

To price gouge if the agreement has a pop coming to an end for certain albums starting next year WB is gong to try and get as much money as they can. Also remember this was supposed to come out back in 2014 so whatever projections they had for this project were blown out of the water a long time ago.

XxAxX said:

Its officially the End of Days. NPG under license to WB??? Did anyone ever think they'd live to see the day??????? Wow. What would P say bout this I wonder.....

anything he put was a license deal Planet Earth & Musicology licensed to Columbia/Sony HIT & RUN 1&2 licensed to UMG. Rave Un2 licensed to Arista/BMG. He got his masters back so NPG licensed to WB.

getxxxx said:

jaypotton said:

WB are maggots

Laydown said:

WB are maggots

No one put a gun to Prince's head to work with them again. WB is not owned by a private equity group it is not the same people he was dealing with 20 years ago. The maggots are the lawyers trying to wreak that deal so they can get a commission and that is the only reason they are tring to wreak this deal.

laurarichardson said:

jaypotton said:

laurarichardson said:

--The benefit of ownership is the estate will always get revenue. Do you think when Prince was alive he would not have been able to afford to reissue these recordings,market or distribute them on a mass scale. He actually had deals like this off and on with record lables for years were the record company did the marketing and distrubution and he kept the master tape while splitting the profits with the lable. Also realize that if the rumors are true about the different records having different end or no end date with WB at all than I cannot see any other lable but WB being interested in these recordings. I think Prince had this deal set up in this manner to stop his sibs and any estate managers from taking these recordings from WB. He is going to get what he wanted in the end.

Oh yeah I get that but my point is that if ownership does not actually let you shop around for the best deal with any label willing to do a time bound P&D deal (because WB have a licence in perpetuity for some albums) then where is the benefit... unless the golden goose Purple Rain was the bargaining chip to get back the rights to the other albums and be able to ship those around in future when the 2014 WB deal expires... except even then it looks like WB still keep exclusive licensing rights in perpetuity for the international market! Which again lessens the attractiveness for any other label signing a P&D deal for any of the WB era albums (as all they would get is domestic rights? [Edited 6/16/17 10:21am]

I think he did not want to shop around and I think he though he was getting the best deal. I really think Prince knew is time was short even if nothing was wrong with his health he was pushing 60 in another 10 years he would be in his 70s. I think he wanted to insure that his wishes would be adhered to no matter if he was around or not.

No other company outside of WB is going to interested in his masters or licensing deal if the rumors about his P&D are true and that too me is very telling. It is certainly better than a will.

After winning the Webby Awards and practically inventing digital music distribution way before the iPod, here ends Prince with a shitty parallax one-page Wordpress (good job, millenial intern).
The times they are a rottin'.