Britney Spears Sells Music Catalogue Rights for $200M

The pop icon has reportedly sold her ownership rights to her extensive music catalogue to Primary Wave.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Britney Spears has reportedly sold the rights to her music catalogue in a deal worth around $200 million. The exact terms of the deal, including which specific rights were sold, have not been publicly confirmed. Spears, one of the best-selling female artists of all time, has released nine studio albums and over 20 top-40 hits in the US over her nearly two-decade career.

Why it matters

This deal represents a significant milestone in Spears' career and financial independence, coming after she was freed from a 13-year conservatorship in 2021. The sale of her catalogue rights gives her more control over her artistic legacy and earning potential, though the full implications remain to be seen.

The details

According to reports, Spears has sold her ownership rights to her music catalogue to Primary Wave, an independent music publisher. The deal is said to be worth around $200 million, though the specific terms have not been publicly confirmed. As the recording artist, Spears' earnings have primarily come from artist royalties associated with her master recordings, rather than songwriting credits, since she is not credited as the main songwriter for most of her hit songs.

  • Britney Spears was freed from a court-ordered conservatorship on November 12, 2021, after 13 years.
  • In January 2024, Spears wrote on Instagram, 'I will never return to the music industry!!!'

The players

Britney Spears

A pop icon who has sold over 150 million records worldwide and is known for hits like '...Baby One More Time,' 'Oops!... I Did It Again,' and 'Toxic.'

Primary Wave

An independent music publisher that has reportedly acquired the rights to Spears' music catalogue.

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What they’re saying

“A catalogue sale typically covers only the rights actually owned by the seller, which, in the case of an artist, may or may not include every song the artist has made depending on the rights the artist personally owns.”

— Brandon Dorsky, Intellectual Property Attorney (Newsweek)

What’s next

The full details of the deal, including which specific rights were sold, are still unclear and may be revealed in the coming weeks or months.

The takeaway

This deal represents a significant financial milestone for Britney Spears, who has regained control over her career and earning potential after being freed from a restrictive conservatorship. The sale of her catalogue rights could provide her with more creative and financial independence going forward.