Michael Jackson and Sony Music History
Michael Jackson signed with CBS Records, later Sony Music, in the early 1990s. The partnership helped distribute his albums globally and supported major promotional campaigns.
The Sony/ATV Catalog Acquisition
In 1985, Jackson co-founded a partnership to buy the ATV Music catalog, which included the Lennon–McCartney song library. Sony later joined as a joint venture partner, and the catalog became Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
Impact on the Music Industry
The acquisition gave Jackson and Sony significant control over classic pop songwriting royalties. The deal is often cited in discussions about music publishing and intellectual property value.
For background on major music catalog transactions, see Billboard Business.
