LOS ANGELES, February 10, 2026 — Britney Spears has sold the rights to her music catalog to publisher Primary Wave in a deal finalized December 30, marking a significant move for the pop icon and a growing trend among music artists.
A Landmark Deal for a Pop Legacy
The agreement includes ownership of hits like “…Baby One More Time,” “Oops! I Did It Again,” “Lucky,” and “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman.”
- Spears’ catalog sale follows similar moves by established artists like Patti LaBelle and The Estate of Biggie Smalls.
- The deal transfers ownership of both recording and publishing rights, though specifics remain undisclosed.
- The value of the deal is estimated to be in the ballpark of $200 million, comparable to Justin Bieber’s 2022 catalog sale.
- Spears, despite stepping back from live performances, continues to explore new music collaborations.
While the financial details of the acquisition haven’t been publicly revealed, industry observers suggest the deal is a “landmark” one, potentially reaching a value similar to Justin Bieber’s $200 million catalog sale in 2022. The specifics of what was transferred remain confidential, but these types of acquisitions typically encompass both the artist’s royalties from performances and their songwriting rights.
What’s the difference between recording and publishing rights? Music publishing royalties are tied to the composition and lyrics of a song, while recorded royalties stem from the actual sound recording itself. Because Spears isn’t credited as a songwriter on many of her biggest tracks, the bulk of the value in her catalog lies in the recordings themselves.
Spears’ decision to sell her catalog rights aligns with a growing trend among veteran artists. Patti LaBelle, Eve, and the estate of The Notorious B.I.G. have all recently inked similar deals with private music publishing companies, signaling a shift in how artists are monetizing their legacies.
The acquisition comes five years after the end of Spears’ highly publicized 13-year conservatorship. Although she announced she would not perform in the United States again, Spears remains creatively active. She collaborated with Elton John on the 2022 single “Hold Me Closer” and released “Mind Your Business” with Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am in 2023, demonstrating a continued passion for music.
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