Pink Floyd has sold its recorded music catalog and name-and-likeness rights to Sony Music for approximately $400 million, marking a significant milestone after years of internal disagreements among band members. The deal includes rights to their recorded music but not their songwriting, which remains under the control of individual members. It also encompasses name-and-likeness rights, allowing Sony to license their music for various media, including films, TV, and gaming. This move follows several stalled attempts at a sale over the past few years, with former issues related to the band’s feuding and disagreements over the structure of the deal.

The sale was impacted by years of infighting, primarily between David Gilmour and Roger Waters, along with input from drummer Nick Mason and the estates of keyboardist Richard Wright and original member Syd Barrett. Gilmour, in particular, expressed eagerness to close the deal to be “rid of the decision-making and the arguments.” There were earlier reports that Waters’ controversial comments on various political issues may have devalued the catalog, initially rumored to be priced at around $500 million.

Financially, the recorded music royalties for Pink Floyd have been flowing into two UK companies, representing music from both before and after Waters’ departure in 1985. Combined, these entities generated around $50 million in revenues as of June 2023, illustrating the catalog’s significant value. The market for music catalog sales has been growing, with Sony previously acquiring other iconic catalogs, such as Bruce Springsteen’s, for around $550 million and reportedly purchasing Queen’s catalog for over $1 billion earlier this year.

This acquisition represents a continued trend in the music industry, where major labels are investing heavily in acquiring classic music catalogs to capitalize on the growth of streaming and licensing opportunities.