Song Background and Ownership Structure
When Two Are in Love is a track from Prince's 1985 album Parade, the soundtrack to the film Under the Cherry Moon. The song is credited to Prince as songwriter and performer, and the master recording was originally released on Warner Bros. Records. The composition is registered with performing rights organizations, and the underlying composition copyright remains controlled by Prince's estate, which manages licensing and royalty collection globally Prince estate music rights.
Prince's catalog includes thousands of recordings, and after his death in 2016, his estate became the central entity for copyright management, royalty distribution, and licensing decisions. Warner Bros. Records continues to distribute the original master recordings under legacy agreements, while the estate controls publishing rights for the compositions SEC Edgar filings.
Royalty Splits and Revenue Streams
Composition Royalties
Composition royalties for When Two Are in Love flow to the copyright holder, which is Prince's estate, through performing rights organizations such as ASCAP or BMI. These royalties are collected when the song is performed publicly, streamed, or broadcast, and are typically split between the publisher and the songwriter's heirs according to the estate's distribution plan.
Streaming revenue for the track is generated on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, with payouts determined by per-stream rates set by each service. The estate receives these payments directly or through its designated publishing administrator, and the total annual royalty income depends on play counts, geographic distribution, and platform-specific payout formulas Prince streaming revenue.
Master Recording Royalties
Master recording royalties for the original Warner Bros. release are paid to the label for the use of the sound recording, while the estate earns publishing income from the composition. Any synchronization licenses for film, television, or advertising require approval from the estate, and these deals can generate significant upfront fees plus ongoing royalties.
Copyright Status and Licensing
The copyright for the composition of When Two Are in Love is owned by Prince's estate, and the term extends for the life of the author plus 70 years under current U.S. copyright law. This means the estate controls reproduction, distribution, and derivative use of the song for decades to come, and any cover versions or samples require a mechanical or synchronization license negotiated with the estate U.S. Copyright Office.
The estate has actively managed Prince's intellectual property, including catalog acquisitions and licensing deals, to maximize revenue and protect the artist's legacy. When Two Are in Love continues to generate royalties through streaming, radio play, and sync placements, with the exact annual figures dependent on usage data reported by collection societies and digital platforms Prince catalog value.