MONTREAL (AFP) - British song management firm Hipgnosis said on Sunday (March 6) it has acquired the entire catalogue of famed Canadian singer-poet Leonard Cohen, in the latest big catalogue purchase to hit the music world.

The London-based company said it had acquired rights to "all 278 songs and derivatives" written by Cohen, including the haunting anthem Hallelujah, which Hipgnosis said had been covered more than 300 times and "streamed more than five billion times".

It did not reveal what it had paid the heirs of the Montreal songwriter, who died at age 82 in 2016.

Cohen's longtime manager Robert Kory represented the heirs in the negotiations.

In all, 127 of the songs come from Cohen's Stranger Music catalogue, for which Hipgnosis acquired "the songwriter's share" of royalties for songs written up through 2000.

The company said it had also acquired full ownership of copyrights and royalties for the Old Ideas catalogue, 67 songs written from 2001 to Cohen's death.

"To now be the custodians and managers of Leonard Cohen's incomparable songs is a wonderful yet very serious responsibility," said Hipgnosis founder and chief executive officer Merck Mercuriadis.

"Leonard wrote words and songs that have changed our lives," said the Canadian-born Mr Mercuriadis, who has managed artistes including Beyonce, Elton John and Mary J. Blige.

The acquisition was carried out by Hipgnosis Songs Capital, a partnership between Hipgnosis Song Management and Blackstone.

Hipgnosis previously purchased the catalogues of stars including American-Canadian Neil Young and alternative rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Several top artistes have sold their catalogues for impressive sums.

British singer Sting sold his entire catalogue in February for an estimated US$250 million (S$340 million), American media reported.

Bruce Springsteen last year sold his musical rights to Sony for an estimated half-billion dollars, a record, while Bob Dylan sold his catalogue to Universal Music for some US$300 million.