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Category: Music Industry / Music / Copyright

All you need is copyright: McCartney sues Sony over Beatles music

Thursday, 19 Jan 2017 10:46:09

Sony currently owns McCartney/Lennon composed works from between 1962 and 1971. (Supplied)

Former Beatle Paul McCartney has sued Sony's music publishing arm to regain ownership of many of the songs he wrote with fellow Beatle John Lennon including Love Me Do and I Want to Hold Your Hand.

The copyright to the Beatles collection was bought by singer Michael Jackson in 1985, but sold to publisher Sony/ATV following his death.

Sony/ATV currently holds copyrights to McCartney/Lennon works composed between September 1962 and June 1971 and McCartney sent notices to the music publisher in 2008 stating his desire to reclaim the copyrights to numerous songs.

The suit said the singer-songwriter would be able to begin to reclaim his rights to the music as of next October under the US Copyright Act.

McCartney's lawyers have repeatedly asked Sony/ATV to acknowledge the musician's rights to terminate copyright transfers of the music, and the company has declined to do so, the suit said.

Paul McCartney recording emoji music Photo: Paul McCartney sent notices to Sony back in 2008 stating his intention to reclaim copyrights. (YouTube: Paul McCartney)

"Because the earliest of Paul McCartney's terminations will take effect in 2018, a judicial declaration is necessary and appropriate at this time so that Paul McCartney can rely on quiet, unclouded title to his rights," the suit said.

Sony/ATV called the lawsuit "unnecessary and premature" in an emailed statement.

"Sony/ATV has the highest respect for Sir Paul McCartney with whom we have enjoyed a long and mutually rewarding relationship with respect to the treasured Lennon & McCartney song catalog," Sony/ATV said.

"We are disappointed that they have filed this lawsuit, which we believe is both unnecessary and premature."

The lawsuit said Sony/ATV attempted to stall talks with McCartney until the conclusion of a lawsuit involving similar claims by British pop band Duran Duran that was playing out in an English court.

Duran Duran lost the legal battle to a Sony/ATV subsidiary in December.

"Rather than provide clear assurances to Paul McCartney that defendants will not challenge his exercise of his termination rights, defendants are clearly reserving their rights pending the final outcome of the Duran Duran litigation," McCartney's lawsuit said.

The suit is seeking a declaration from the court that McCartney can reclaim his copyright interests in the songs, as well as attorneys' fees.

The first song up for grabs is the 1962 hit Love Me Do.

Reuters/ABC

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