Audius Enters Licensing Agreement
San Francisco-based blockchain music platform Audius has entered into a multi-territory licensing agreement with International Copyright Enterprise (ICE).
Audius states that this deal “opens up the opportunity for more than 330,000 rights holders to receive royalties from the use of their music on Audius across a wide area, including sub-Saharan Africa and Asia-Pacific.”
Collaborations with Major Industry Players
In recent months, Audius has established partnerships with several major music publishing and performance rights organizations.
Audius collaborates with companies like Kobalt, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR, among others.
Additionally, several independent labels and distributors are working with Audius, including DistroKid, Beatport, EMPIRE, Nettwerk Music, Ninja Tune, Merge Records, Ampsuite, Circus Records, Anjunadeep and Anjuna is beating.
The latest agreement follows the public launch of the company’s direct payments feature in September, which enables artists to set prices for their music and receive payments directly from fans.
Initially introduced in beta to over 100 artists in November 2023, the monetization feature allows fans to make credit card payments in USDC, a digital stablecoin pegged to the US dollar that artists can convert into any currency.
“Our mission at ICE is to actively embrace and support new platforms like Audius, ensuring that creators, songwriters, and publishers benefit from a vibrant and evolving international music ecosystem,” stated Tim Rawlinson, Vice President of Licensing at ICE.
“We are excited to partner with Audius, whose platform not only creates and strengthens deep connections between artists and fans, but also opens new revenue opportunities to drive sustainable growth in unique digital ecosystems.”
“Entering an agreement with them ensures that thousands of artists, songwriters and other rights holders around the world can begin receiving royalties through the Audius global music marketplace.”
Shamal Ranasinghe, Audius
“ICE is one of the most forward-thinking technology players in royalty collection and distribution,” commented Shamal Ranasinghe, chief business officer at Audius.
“Entering an agreement with them ensures that thousands of artists, songwriters, and other rights holders around the world can start receiving royalties through the Audius global music marketplace.”
Sponsors of Audius, founded in 2018, include: Maverick Founder Guy Oseary’s Sound Ventures, SESAC’s John Josephson, former Sony Music Publishing (then Sony/ATV) boss Martin Bandier, and notable artists like The Chainsmokers, Katy Perry, Nas, Steve Aoki, and Jason Derulo.
