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"Universal 'may try to cancel deal with Prince estate' over concerns about recorded music's value -- Sources suggest the record label may ask for a refund of the $30 million it paid for the assets" by Roisin O'Connor - The Independent - 15 April 2017
Universal could try to nullify its deal with Prince's estate, it has been reported, over concerns about the recorded music's correct value and the complexity of his 2014 deal with Warner.
The world's biggest music label announced the deal in February, which would give it exclusive licensing rights to the late artist's work, including much of his private archive.
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"Winner of Rights to Prince’s Music Fears It Was Shortchanged -- Universal is concerned it didn’t get as much as it thought from $30 million deal with late artist’s estate, may ask for its money back" By Hannah Karp - Wall Street Journal - 14 April 2017
Universal Music Group won the licensing rights to late pop star Prince’s “vault” of unreleased music and other recordings, but people familiar with the matter said the company is concerned it didn’t get what it was promised in its contract.
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"Prince Estate’s $31 Million Distribution Deal Is Rescinded" By Ben Sisario - New York Times - July 13, 2017
Five months ago, the estate of Prince announced a major deal with the Universal Music Group for distribution rights for a substantial portion of the music star’s vast catalog. The largest of a series of multimillion-dollar contracts lined up in the months after Prince died, it was estimated at $31 million.
But in a turn of events that has stunned the industry, the deal has now been rescinded by a judge, after Universal accused representatives of the estate of fraud and misrepresentation during negotiations and threatened a lawsuit if the company was not allowed to withdraw from the deal and get its money back.