Who Owns Michael Jackson's Music Catalog
The primary owner of Michael Jackson's music catalog is Sony Music Publishing, which acquired a controlling stake in his song rights in 2016. The catalog includes his solo masters and publishing rights to songs he wrote or co-wrote. The entity that manages his personal songwriting share is Mijac Music, his own publishing company, which remains a separate legal entity. Sony's ownership gives it control over a large portion of his recorded and written works, including major hits like "Thriller" and "Billie Jean."Read more on the Sony acquisition.
Ownership is split between Sony Music Publishing and Mijac Music, with Sony holding the majority share of the publishing rights. Mijac Music, founded by Michael Jackson, retains a portion of his songwriting estate and is managed by his heirs. The catalog also includes rights to songs he co-wrote with other artists and producers. The structure allows Sony to administer and license the music globally while Mijac controls his personal share. This split affects how royalties are collected and distributed from streaming, radio, and sync deals.
History of Michael Jackson's Music Rights
In 1985, Michael Jackson purchased the ATV Music catalog, which included the rights to many Beatles songs and his own early works. He later merged ATV with Sony to form Sony/ATV Music Publishing, giving him a 50 percent stake. Over time, he sold portions of his stake to Sony, culminating in the 2016 deal where Sony bought his half for 750 million dollars. The transaction made Sony the majority owner of his publishing catalog and gave it control over a vast library of hit songs.
After his death in 2009, his music rights became part of his estate, with his children and heirs controlling Mijac Music. The estate continued to manage licensing and royalty collection for his songs. In 2016, the sale to Sony marked a major shift, consolidating most of his publishing rights under one corporate owner. The history shows a clear path from Jackson's personal ownership to the current structure dominated by Sony and his family-controlled Mijac entity.
Current Management and Royalties
Sony Music Publishing now administers the largest share of Michael Jackson's catalog, handling licensing for streaming, film, and advertising. Mijac Music manages his personal songwriting share and works with Sony on royalty distribution. The estate, led by his children, oversees decisions related to his name, image, and music legacy. Royalties from his songs flow through Sony's global network and are split according to the ownership agreements between Sony and Mijac.
The catalog remains one of the most valuable music assets in the industry, generating millions in annual royalties from streaming platforms and traditional media. Sony's ownership gives it the power to place his songs in new films, commercials, and playlists worldwide. Mijac's role ensures that his personal creative share continues to be managed separately from the corporate catalog. The current setup reflects a balance between corporate administration by Sony and family oversight through the estate and Mijac Music.