Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun conflict continues

The high-profile dispute between Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun over the rights to the singer's master recordings of her first six albums shows no sign of ending anytime soon.

The conflict arose when Braun wholly acquired Big Machine Records earlier this year, the label that signed Swift at the age of 15. Big Machine released Swift's first six albums which formed part of the extensive music library Braun acquired as part of the Big Machine takeover.

Following the deal, Swift took to social media to convey her disgust at the transaction and her personal dislike of Braun stating 'My musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it' despite claims from Braun who insisted Swift was given the opportunity to reclaim ownership of the recordings before the deal was finalised.

The dispute has now been raging for many months, with several artists and senior industry figures coming out in support of one side or the other. Swift's call to her fans to 'let Scooter Braun know how you feel about this' was condemned by Big Machine who said her call to arms greatly affected their employees and their families' safety.

There are also ongoing financial disputes between Swift and Big Machine with the singer claiming the label still owe her $7.9m in outstanding royalties, whereas Big Machine claim that Swift owes them 'millions of dollars and multiple assets.'

The significance of the dispute is being discussed extensively online with several industry commentators believing it has already affected the way in which artists' contracts are drafted and how rights are transferred between labels.

Richard Jones, Operations Manager for ip21 Ltd