Hipgnosis Songs Fund has officially rebranded as Recognition Music Group following its departure from the stock market. The rebranding encompasses all divisions, including the core fund, Hipgnosis Song Management (HSM), and Hipgnosis Songs Assets.

The leadership structure remains unchanged, with Ben Katovsky as CEO, Dan Pounder as CFO, and Sara Lord serving as chief creative officer. This transition comes after former founder Merck Mercuriadis left the company last year.

The rebranding follows several significant events, including:

• A $1.5 billion ABS completion in November
• The company's exit from the stock market
• An ongoing legal dispute with Barry Manilow over bonus payments
• Industry criticism over aggressive catalog acquisition strategies

Recognition Music Group plans to continue acquiring song rights, with CEO Ben Katovsky stating they remain "committed to supporting artists and songwriters, enhancing the legacy and value of our songs and, over time, growing our portfolio with more stellar songs."

The music IP landscape has evolved significantly since Hipgnosis' peak acquisition period, with increased competition and diverse valuations becoming common in the market. Recognition Music Group's future investments will likely reflect these changed market dynamics.

The legal proceedings with Barry Manilow continue, with a U.S. dismissal-motion hearing scheduled for April 18th. The company maintains that the dispute should be resolved in the U.K.'s High Court.

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