Paul McCartney In Battle Over Beatles Song Book

Songwriter to sue Sony in attempt to gain control of catalogue...

Paul McCartney is set to sue Sony as the battle over control of The Beatles song book gathers pace.

The Lennon & McCartney catalogue is one of pop's most prized assets, governing the copyright of some of the most familiar aural artefacts of the 20th century.

However it's history is also one of music's more baleful episodes. Initially held by a company called Northern Songs, the catalogue passed out the hands of Lennon & McCartney in 1969.

Owned by ATV for over a decade, Michael Jackson swooped to purchase the catalogue in 1985 and held ownership until his death.

Sold to Sony, the catalogue should revert to the original authors in 2018 with Paul McCartney now filing a federal lawsuit to ensure this happens.

In a statement to Pitchfork the artist's team wrote:

Paul McCartney has today filed a lawsuit in federal court in New York against Sony/ATV to confirm his ownership in his US reversionary copyrights, which are granted to him by US copyright law, in the songs he wrote with John Lennon and recorded with The Beatles. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and bears the case no. 17cv363.

– – –

Buy Clash Magazine

-
Join the Clash mailing list for up to the minute music, fashion and film news.