Fans can now use Sony songs on Facebook

While the deal is expected to make users happy, it benefits music professionals as well. Musicians will be able to earn royalties from such uploads. The agreement extends to Instagram and Oculus, both of which are owned by Facebook. How these royalties will be calculated and how much will go to artists has not been disclosed by either company.  

“We are thrilled that in signing this agreement Facebook recognises the value that music brings to their service and that our songwriters will now benefit from the use of their music on Facebook. We are looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship,” Sony chairperson Martin Bandier said. 

The agreement, which is seen in some quarters to be a response to YouTube, spans territories, meaning African Facebook users can upload songs published by Sony, with artists such as the Senegalese-American singer Akon earning royalties.

The general manager of Sony Music West Africa, Michael Ugwu, spoke to Music in Africa about what the deal means for Nigerian artists and Facebook users.

“It is more a publishing deal so Sony/ATV was at the core of the discussions,” he said, adding that, the deal “is a big step in combatting copyright infringement as well as allowing our artists to earn royalties from both Facebook and Instagram".

"Users can now legally upload music to their videos from the Sony/ATV catalog, so they are free to give their videos the soundtrack they feels suits it best," Ugwu said.

Concerning African acts, Ugwu said: “It’s a multi-territory deal so local users in Nigeria should also be able to include Sony/ATV catalog music in their videos and these artists will generate royalties. For local artists, the deal would cover music from local creators signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing”.

It is unclear whether such acts as Wizkid, Ali kiba, Davido and Tekno, all of whom have inked Sony deals, are in a position to earn royalties from the deal should their songs go on Facebook. As it stands, neither of these acts are listed on the songwriter page of the Sony/ATV website.

In expanding its music reach, Facebook is said to be looking at acquiring publishing rights from Warner Music Group. In December last year, the social media company reached an agreement with Universal Music Group Publishing.

Facebook's head of music business development, Tamara Hrivnak, expressed excitement at the new development, saying the deal will "deepen connections between friends and fans”.