Scooter Braun denies ‘malicious intent’ in Taylor Swift back catalogue row

Scooter Braun said he had no “malicious intent” when he acquired the rights to Taylor Swift’s back catalogue.

The talent manager’s company, Ithaca Holdings, announced in June that it had bought Big Machine Label Group, which released Swift’s first six studio albums and owns her masters.

Swift described the move as her “worst case scenario” and accused Braun, whose clients include Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato, of “incessant, manipulative bullying.”

Addressing the controversy on the Wide Open podcast, Braun said: “I don’t do anything with malicious intent. I try to do things above board. I try to do the right thing.

“Not everyone’s going to be happy with everything that you do, and I think in the long term - I’ve learned this over time - the truth always comes out, and I’m confident in that.”

Standard Online has contacted Swift's representatives for further comment.

Swift joined Big Machine at the age of 15 and stayed with the label for 13 years, until her contract expired in November 2018.

She then signed a new record deal with Republic Records and Universal Music Group, who released her seventh studio album Lover in August.

The ten-time Grammy winner has since revealed that she “absolutely” intends to re-record her back catalogue.

Clarifying her plans in an interview with Good Morning America in August, the singer confirmed: “That’s true and it’s something that I’m very excited about doing because my contract says that starting November 2020, so next year I can record albums one through five all over again, so I’m very excited about it.

“I think artists deserve to own their work. I just feel very passionately about that.”

Additional reporting by Press Association.