Publishing Briefs: Cherry Lane, RightsFlow

http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i6e2d5b09608cf35cd39a7a234005729e

June 17, 2009 - Publishing

By Ed Christman, N.Y.

-Cherry Lane Music Publishing Co. has signed a worldwide, long-term
publishing agreement with 2008 "American Idol" winner and songwriter David Cook. As part of the deal, Cherry Lane will be administering Cook’s current catalog and will hold co-publishing rights in any new writing opportunities that are set up through Cherry Lane.

"Everyone knows David Cook the American Idol winner," Cherry Lane senior VP of creative services and marketing Richard Stumpf said in a statement. But after early discussions with Cook, "I was most impressed with David Cook the gifted songwriter," said Stumpf.

The deal was negotiated by Stumpf, Cherry Lane VP of business & legal affairs Keith Hauprich, and Iain Pirie at 19 Entertainment and Howard Siegel at Pryor Cashman LLP.

-Essential USA, a joint venture between the Rocket Science marketing firm and the Cooking Vinyl label, has hired RightsFlow to license, account, and pay publisher royalties for physical, mechanical and DPD licenses on behalf of Essential USA’s as well as select Rocket Science clients.

“This partnership with RightsFlow provides a key service for our expanding venture that serves many marquee acts such as the Prodigy, and all other Essential USA releases," stated Rocket Science owner Kevin Day. “Through RightsFlow’s systems, we are able to cost effectively and rapidly obtain bulk DPD licenses for US distributions, allowing labels to clear licenses quickly, thereby resulting in the sale of more content. Rocket Science at its core is a services company; our goal is to effectively and rapidly service our artists' needs and RightsFlow achieves this for both us and our UK partner."