Copyrights & Royalties

Copyright and royalty stream valuation has become increasingly sophisticated as major catalogs trade hands at record prices. The fundamental approach is present-valuing future cash flows, but the inputs—growth rates, discount rates, copyright duration—require careful analysis.

Historical income provides the foundation, but growth trajectory matters enormously. Catalogs with streaming-driven growth warrant different multiples than those with declining physical sales. The remaining copyright term establishes the outer bound of value, though works approaching public domain status may retain value through administration fees and sync licensing.

Our methodology analyzes historical royalty streams, applies appropriate growth assumptions based on format mix and catalog characteristics, and references recent catalog transaction multiples. We consider income diversification, administration quality, and any recapture or reversion rights that could affect future ownership.