Merlin and Jamen Capital Complete Acquisition of Curve

As part of the European Commission’s conditions for approving Universal Music Group’s acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings, Curve Royalty Systems had to be sold. In June, the parties announced that Virgin Music Group had agreed the sale of Curve to Merlin and Jamen Capital, ensuring the royalty platform returned to independent ownership.

Jamen Capital and Merlin have now completed their acquisition of Curve from Virgin, following final approval of the transaction by the European Commission. Completion of the acquisition marks the beginning of a new chapter for Curve as an independent, standalone business, backed by two strategic partners committed to preserving its neutrality while supporting its long-term growth.

“Curve is vital infrastructure for independent music businesses around the world. Completing this acquisition secures its independence and ensures it remains neutral, trusted and closely connected to the community it serves. We are proud to back the team as it expands the platform and develops the next generation of products and services for the sector.”
Charlie Lexton, CEO of Merlin

Curve’s leadership, team, brand, products, services and client relationships remain the same post the transaction. Richard Leach will continue to lead the business as CEO, supported by the existing management and day-to-day teams, while clients will retain their usual contacts and continue to receive the same levels of service, support and data security.

Under its new ownership, Curve plans to accelerate innovation, expand its existing services and develop new products for the record labels, publishers, distributors and other music businesses it serves around the world. The acquisition brings together Merlin’s deep knowledge of and connection to the global independent music community with Jamen Capital’s long-term investment approach and experience across music technology and infrastructure.

Curve provides royalty processing services across recorded music and publishing, supporting thousands of labels, distributors, publishers and other rightsholders globally. Its clients include Armada, Defected, Epitaph, Exceleration, Reservoir, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Virgin Music Group, Netflix and BBC/Demon.

For more information: https://merlinnetwork.org/jamen-capital-and-merlin-complete-acquisition-of-curve-royalty-systems/