Taylor Swift Secures Ownership Rights First Six Albums

Taylor Swift has successfully reacquired the rights to her first six albums, concluding a six-year battle over her master recordings that began when Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Records. This landmark deal grants her full ownership of her early catalog, including music videos, concert films, album art, photography, and unreleased songs, empowering her with complete control over how her music is used and monetized. Swift expressed her triumph and gratitude in a heartfelt handwritten letter, describing the moment as her 'greatest dream come true' and emphasizing her desire for full autonomy without partnerships or strings attached. The reacquisition follows Swift's efforts to regain control by releasing re-recorded versions of her albums, known as 'Taylor's Versions,' after her masters were sold multiple times, including a $300 million deal in 2020. Industry observers note this milestone as a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about artist rights and ownership in the music business. Swift's new ownership contrasts with her masters from 2019 onward, which remain under Universal Music Group, highlighting her growing influence in the industry.