After years of disputes and setbacks, legendary British rock band Pink Floyd has finalized the sale of their recorded-music and name-and-likeness rights to Sony Music for approximately $400 million.
The deal, one of the largest in recent music history, comes after prolonged infighting between key members, notably Roger Waters and David Gilmour. Also involved in the sale are drummer Nick Mason and the estates of late members Richard Wright and Syd Barrett. While the sale includes recorded-music rights and name-and-likeness (covering merchandise and theatrical use), the songwriting rights remain with the individual writers.
The catalog includes iconic albums like Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, and Wish You Were Here, making it one of the most valuable in music. Despite a rocky negotiation process—complicated by Waters’ controversial political statements and infighting—the deal was finally closed after years of attempts.
Sony’s acquisition comes amid political controversy surrounding Waters, whose outspoken views on Israel and Ukraine have sparked backlash. Still, the agreement allows the band’s legacy to move forward, with Gilmour stating his primary motivation was to end the long-standing disagreements within the band.
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