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Warner/Chappell Music Announces Exclusive, Worldwide Publishing Agreement With Microsoft Music Publishing
| Source: Warner Music Group
NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 28, 2007 --Warner/Chappell Music, the publishing arm of
Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE : WMG ), and one of the world's largest music
publishers, and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ : MSFT ) announced today a worldwide
music publishing administration agreement, whereby Warner/Chappell will
claim, administer and license music compositions owned and controlled by
Microsoft, including the award-winning compositions for: Bungie Studios'
blockbuster, Xbox and Xbox 360 video games, Halo®: Combat Evolved and
Halo® 2, as well as Age of Empires®, Fable®, Kameo: Elements of
Power and other video game franchises.
As part of the agreement, which is the first music publishing
administration agreement Microsoft has entered into for its catalogs,
Warner/Chappell will claim and register Microsoft-owned copyrights in all
territories worldwide, as well as identify and develop new synchronization,
performance and other music publishing opportunities for the Microsoft
music publishing catalogs.
The Microsoft music catalog administered by Warner/Chappell will include
several thousand compositions, including those which have been released as
part of the extensive library of video games published by Microsoft Game
Studios for the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment console.
The agreement also includes music in future video games to be published by
Microsoft Game Studios, including the upcoming Halo 3 release.
In making the announcement, Ed Pierson, Executive Vice President, Legal and
Business Affairs, Warner/Chappell Music, said, "Warner/Chappell is proud to
partner with a technology leader like Microsoft and delighted to be the
worldwide publisher for the company's video game music catalog. We're
confident we can develop and identify some exciting and unique new
licensing opportunities for these well-known game compositions."
"We have developed a large library of video game music and are excited to
make it available for placement beyond games," said Ed Ventura, Senior
Director of the Franchise Development Group in the Interactive
Entertainment Division. "By partnering with Warner/Chappell, we can
continue to extend the value and experiences for our music and also inspire
and give further recognition to the composers who are dedicated to working
on video games."
About Warner/Chappell Music
Warner/Chappell Music is WMG's award-winning global music publishing
company. The Warner/Chappell Music catalog includes standards such as
"Happy Birthday To You," "Rhapsody in Blue," "Winter Wonderland," the songs
of Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin, as well as the music of Dido,
Dr. Dre, Eric Clapton, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Nickelback, Red
Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, T.I. and others. Warner/Chappell Music is a
leader in creating innovative strategies for marketing and promoting its
songwriters and their music. The company's extensive catalog makes it a
natural first stop for A&R executives and record producers, feature film
and television production companies, and others looking to record or
license some of the world's greatest music.
Microsoft, Age of Empires, Elements of Power, Fable, Halo and Kameo are
either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and/or other countries.