BMG snags pub divestitures

DIVEST IS YET TO COME: In one of the first transactions stipulated by the EU as a condition of Sony/ATV’s merger with EMI Music Publishing, BMG has signed a binding contract to acquire selected music publishing catalogs, including the worldwide rights for the Virgin Music Publishing Companies, Famous U.K. Music Publishing and selected current writers from Sony/ATV and EMP, BMG announced this morning. The 21k-song Virgin Publishing catalog includes Kurt Cobain’s songs for Nirvana, including “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Come as You Are” and “About a Girl”; ’80s classics like Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World", Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon,” The Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me,” OMD’s “Enola Gay” and Iggy Pop’s “Passenger”; recent hits including Duffy’s “Mercy” and The Kooks’ “She Moves In Her Own Way”; Take That’s U.K. hits; and Robbie Williams’ interests in the likes of “Angels,” “Rock DJ” and “Let Me Entertain You.” Also part of the deal are copyrights from Mark Ronson and Plan B. Overall, a very nice haul for Hartwig Masuch and company. (12/21a)