June 23, 2009

By By Billboard staff

- MPL Music Publishing is launching a pre-cleared online music library. The site (mplcommunications.com) will offer licenses for master recordings and publishing "to be obtained, paid for and downloaded in minutes," according to a statement. The site's catalog will include songs by Paul McCartney, Frank Loesser and Buddy Holly among others. Industry veteran Nancy Jeffries will oversee the service.

- Music print publishers Hal Leonard and London-based Music Sales Group have teamed for a joint venture, dubbed Music Sales America (MSA). MSA will produce publications which Hal Leonard will exclusively distribute throughout North America. Hal Leonard will also distribute songbooks from the Music Sales catalog, which includes artists such as AC/DC, Tori Amos and Bob Dylan.

- Don Cook has entered into a music publishing agreement with Skyline Music Publishing. Cook?s country hits include co-producer credit on thirteen Brooks & Dunn number one singles. He has served as producer on albums for The Mavericks, Olivia Newton-John, Lonestar and Tracy Lawrence, among others.

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