Posted June 3, 201114 yr This whole mess started in the PopJustice forum, where the webmaster posted an enigmatic comment about if they were still signed at all with Universal/Island. Then someone realized there's no sign of Island/Universal on their official website and they only put "© CROWN MUSIC 2011" instead. This would mean a lot of things: - They completed their album left in the contract with the B-Sides compilation (maybe Keisha did this too?) - Crown would have to pay Island for using the name "Sugababes", as they are the owners of the brand. - The rights of their material would be split in three: London/Warner owns 1.0's, Island/Universal owns 2.0's, 3.0's and Sweet7 and now Crown would own the rest of the 4.0 material. - Given their relationship with Crown, Universal would still distribute the new album. Thoughts? Edited June 5, 201114 yr by The47thbelmon
June 3, 201114 yr Hasn't their official site always been a copyright of Crown? Not only that, but Island don't own the brand name. Keisha, Mutya and Siobhan do under English partnership law which is how Mutya was able top submit the application for trademarking. I was also under the impression that Island had bought the rights to the 1.0 material from London records, hence their inclusion on Overloaded. Plus there is this: http://islandrecords.co.uk/group_artists.php?id=12 The babes are still on Island's website. I'm not sure. Jade tweeted 3hrs ago that they had a meeting with the big boss. Until they tell us otherwise, coz Crown won't, I'm willing to call bull$h!t.
June 3, 201114 yr Author I don't know how the trademarks laws work, but Heidi said some months after Mutya presented the demand that the lable still owned the song. The case was settled, so we don't know exactly what was the agreement they got. About their website, the important thing is that they only have the name of Crown. There's no sign of Island or Universal. For example The Saturdays' website has a link to Fascination (management) and Polydor (which is now their label as Fascination doesn't exists as a label anymore). As for the Island website...that's a point, although they still have the rights of the material by 2.0, 3.0 and Sweet 7. One more thing...yesterday some user said he was going to Sony's office to listen to the track...could this mean Sony is who is distributing this? and they've completely parted from Island? Too many questions... Edited June 3, 201114 yr by The47thbelmon
June 3, 201114 yr It seems they've left Island and signed to Sony Music. Apparently it'll be announced on Sunday. As for Crown they're only management, not a label or distributor.
June 3, 201114 yr i think its clear they arent on island anymore, hopefully thats a good thing, (see other Island artists websites)
June 3, 201114 yr No BGT? :o No, that's been around the web for a few days now. They were meant to perform last night, but Jessie J filled their spot. I think this move could go either way, it could really help them become more relevant again, or it could just flop more than the Sweet 7 era. Hopefully we're told something officially soon... Edited June 3, 201114 yr by Aidan
June 3, 201114 yr Well BGT is the biggest Promo At the moment so i think without that the single has no chance to get top 3... :( Edited June 3, 201114 yr by Gaga for Glee!
June 3, 201114 yr It seems they've left Island and signed to Sony Music. Apparently it'll be announced on Sunday. As for Crown they're only management, not a label or distributor. Interesting move, Island have been terminally shit, especially when it comes to single choices for quite some time. Now if they could only escape Crown as well...
June 3, 201114 yr I don't know how the trademarks laws work, but Heidi said some months after Mutya presented the demand that the lable still owned the song. The case was settled, so we don't know exactly what was the agreement they got. About their website, the important thing is that they only have the name of Crown. There's no sign of Island or Universal. For example The Saturdays' website has a link to Fascination (management) and Polydor (which is now their label as Fascination doesn't exists as a label anymore). As for the Island website...that's a point, although they still have the rights of the material by 2.0, 3.0 and Sweet 7. One more thing...yesterday some user said he was going to Sony's office to listen to the track...could this mean Sony is who is distributing this? and they've completely parted from Island? Too many questions... It's all very complicated. I imagine if they can still use the name then 1.0 is getting a nice stream of cash from it. I'd never even noticed Island being on the bottom before, the head of Island used to be the A&R guy for the babes, so he could have booted them to keep Keisha on board. I believe they own the 1.0 rights as well. I removed Crown from the topic title as they are management and not the label/distribution [Which would now be Sony Music]. Interestingly Sony Music acts seem to be the only ones who get X Factor slots, and with Cole off the panel Europes biggest Girlbrand might get a performance slot.
June 3, 201114 yr I think Crown saved them to be honest... All the producers on this album are Crown-related, as Island cut all the finances (and maybe dropped). And I think the Sony thing is true... Otherwise there wouldn't be going any announcement on Sunday. One popjustice insider even told that the Sugababes promo (video shoot etc.) is going to be financed from the Nokia ad income! And Phil, I think there's a possibility that Crown have created their own label, on which Sugababes are going to release an album, under the distribution of Sony. Edited June 3, 201114 yr by Arrs
June 3, 201114 yr I think Crown saved them to be honest... All the producers on this album are Crown-related, as Island cut all the finances (and maybe dropped). And I think the Sony thing is true... Otherwise there wouldn't be going any announcement on Sunday. One popjustice insider even told that the Sugababes promo (video shoot etc.) is going to be financed from the Nokia ad income! And Phil, I think there's a possibility that Crown have created their own label, on which Sugababes are going to release an album, under the distribution of Sony. A Crown label would, no joke, BE THE WORST THING EVER. I couldn't think of anything worse. No dramatics, this would be an even more retarded move than sacking Keisha and replacing her with a voice that doesn't fit.
June 3, 201114 yr It seems this time Mark and Crown in general really need to get some positive credit. If the rumours are true, I suppose Sugababes were dropped by Island in around January. Since then I suppose they were recording purely by Crown's control, with their producers etc. There were rumours that Crown maybe even A&Red the album properly! And f*** knows what would happen to 4.0 if they (with, again, Crown) wouldn't find the new label. There WOULDN'T be any new Sugababes proper album if it wasn't for Crown. It's all speculation, but still... All this is very weird (as everything Sugababes-related), we need to sit down and wait until Sunday for actual news.
June 3, 201114 yr I'll give Crown credit when they do something worthy of it. If the album turns out to be good and they A&R'd it, I'll give em credit.
June 4, 201114 yr Author It seems this time Mark and Crown in general really need to get some positive credit. If the rumours are true, I suppose Sugababes were dropped by Island in around January. Yes. In the past months I've heard people of Crown saying that Island rejected the songs they'd been doing for the album several times and they cut their budget, so maybe Island got tired of the situation, didn't have confidence in the future of the group and decided to drop them and completing their contract with the B-Sides album(s). Since then I guess the girls have been working with Crown's producers. About the label...if Sony is only distributing would they still get them a spot on The X-Factor? Or would they focus only in their proper acts? But the thing I want to know the most is who the hell owns the name and gets royalties of its use. I mean, we can all speculate for that, but I want a 100% clear answer.
June 4, 201114 yr Under English Partnership law the name belongs to 1.0 and not Island Records or Crown and most certainly not 4.0
June 4, 201114 yr Well, the agreement might mean that whoever uses the name Sugababes should pay some royalties to 1.0. But I'm not sure that Sugababes name belongs to 1.0. By my information, Mutya has lost the case and Universal/Island won it. I read it from insiders on Popjustice + some other sources I can't remember. But why dropping them after that is a different question. My general assumption is that the current line-up doesn't need to pay any profit shares to anyone for its existence. All income from 1.0 goes to Keisha/Mutya/Siobhan + writers and Warner (ex-London Records). Income from 2.0 - 3.0 goes to Island + Keisha, Heidi and Mutya / Amelle and, again, writers. Income from 'Sweet 7' (income from Sweet 7, ha-ha-ha) goes to Island, writers and Heidi, Amelle and Jade. And we yet have to know what is going to be with the income from Album 8 onwards. If they are on Sony (or Sony / Crown???) now, the total income from everything Sugababes have done will be even more split! I really hope we shall get an honest and full book about the Sugababes history, from the beginning to the end. When the band ends is another question though... 13 years full of drama now!
