The former Beatle is due to reclaim ownership of the songs next year under US copyright law, although he has said he is yet to receive confirmation from Sony. UK group Duran Duran lost a similar case to Sony last year.
Image: Picture-Alliance/C. Pizzello/Invision/AP
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Former Beatle Paul McCartney took Sony Corp's music publishing arm to court Wednesday, as he seeks to reclaim the copyrights to 267 Beatles songs.
McCartney's lawsuit, which attorneys presented before a New York federal court, claims he notified the Sony-based music label, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, back in October 2008 that he wished to terminate his publishing contract in 2018 and reclaim the rights to the songs he co-wrote with fellow Beatle John Lennon.
However, according to the suit, Sony/ATV has so far failed to acknowledge McCartney's right as composer to terminate copyright transfers under the US Copyright Act, prompting concerns the publisher could instead declare the former Beatle to be in breach of his contract.
The suit claims that "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."
In a statement, Sony/ATV Music Publishing said it regretted the lawsuit, calling it "unnecessary and premature."
"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," the publisher said.
Beatlemania In Germany
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Late pop star Michael Jackson acquired the Beatles song catalog in 1985 for $47.5 million, famously outbidding McCartney after the former Beatle told him of the importance of music publishing. Jackson obtained the Beatles songs as part of a larger trove of some 4,000 pop tunes from Australian businessman Robert Holmes.
The songs were then rolled into a joint venture between Jackson and his record label, forming Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which went on to become the world's largest music publisher.
In 2016, seven years after Jackson's death, the late pop star's estate sold its 50-percent stake in Sony/ATV to Sony Corp for around $750 million.
"You never give me your money"
McCartney's lawsuit could have major ramifications for the music industry and the law's interpretation of the US Copyright Act of 1976.
Under the Act, artists can reclaim the rights to their songs 35 years after they are given away, or 56 years for songs after 1978. Next year will mark 56 years since the Beatles released their first single, "Love Me Do," in 1962.
However, in a crucial legal victory for publishers, a British court in December last year refused to grant UK group Duran Duran the US rights to its songs from Sony/ATV on the grounds that the group members' agreements were governed by English law.
"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 in the UK," the McCartney lawsuit read. McCartney said he has made clear he intends to terminate his publishing contract under the US law.
dm/rt (Reuters, AFP)
June 1966: Beatlemania in Germany
Beatlemania broke out as soon as the "Fab Four" arrived in Germany in June 1966 and launched their tour around the country, drawing countless screaming fans.
Image: Rockmuseum München, Foto: Rainer Schwanke/Archiv Herbert Hauke
Three days of Beatlemania
Founded in 1960, the Beatles' career took off in 1962 in Hamburg's Star-Club, a rock club which served as a steppingstone for many bands. Just a short while later, the foursome become superstars, triggering hysteria wherever they went. In 1966, they came back to Germany - to the joy of their many fans. During their three-day tour, the German media hardly talked about anything else.
Image: Rockmuseum München, Foto: Rainer Schwanke/Archiv Herbert Hauke
Dramatic arrival
When their plane landed at the Munich airport at 12:56 on June 23, 1966, chaos broke out with 200 police officers desperately trying to get control over the fans. Journalists stormed the stairs, and Paul smiled at them while manager Brian Epstein tried to calm down the situation. John fought his way through the crowds, while the remaining Beatles disappeared into the crowd.
Image: Rockmuseum München, Foto: Rainer Schwanke/Archiv Herbert Hauke
A hotel mishap
Fans are pictured waiting in front of the Bayerischer Hof hotel in Munich where the band stayed. The crowds screamed while the hotel management feverishly worked out the quartet's booking. Much to the disliking of the four gentlemen, double rooms had been booked by mistake. After that got worked out, the famous foursome greeted their cheering fans from their windows.
Image: Rockmuseum München, Foto: Rainer Schwanke/Archiv Herbert Hauke
Local flair: Lederhosen
John, Paul, George and Ringo received some very special local gifts - Lederhosen, the traditional Bavarian leather pants. A press conference took place at 4:00 pm in the hotel, with reporters asking rather silly questions. When the tabloid "Bild" asked Ringo whether his Lederhosen were too big for him, he said maybe they were, but he'd just wait until the baby grew.
Image: Rockmuseum München, Foto: Rainer Schwanke/Archiv Herbert Hauke
Fabulous, but not perfect
While Germany's youth went nuts, the older generation was annoyed by the musicians. The media was amazed at their success, with the daily "Münchener Merkur" focusing on the band members' shortcomings rather than their talents: "Short-sighted John Lennon, left-handed Paul McCartney, George Harrison with his huge ears, and Ringo Starr with his very long nose."
Image: Rockmuseum München, Foto: Rainer Schwanke/Archiv Herbert Hauke
First shows in a circus tent
The Beatles gave two concerts in Munich's largest circus tent on June 24, playing to shrieking fans for a half hour in the afternoon and again in the evening. The daily "Süddeutsche Zeitung" expressed concern for the stability of the tent's roof . "When the guitars start playing their hard rhythms, it is advisable for medical reasons to leave the area."
Image: Rockmuseum München, Foto: Rainer Schwanke/Archiv Herbert Hauke
The fan phenomenon
The UK was experienced, but now Germany was also dealing with phenomenon of fan hysteria. A reporter for the "Main-Echo" observed at the concert: "18:56. A 16-year old girl jumps up, runs the few steps towards the stage, crashes onto the floor, and screams. Paramedics grab her and carry her outside."
Image: Rockmuseum München, Foto: Rainer Schwanke/Archiv Herbert Hauke
Beatles wanted smaller crowds
After two performances in Munich, the Beatles traveled on to Essen. Why did they choose this comparatively unimportant town in the Ruhr region? Berlin had been negotiating with the management, but the Beatles refused to play in mass venues like the Olympic stadium or Waldbühne, which hold and 69,000 and 22,000, respectively. Instead, they performed for 8,000 fans at a smaller hall in Essen.
Image: picture-alliance/Bildarchiv/Hemann
Hype in Hamburg
"Hamburg's teenagers raced around in Beatles hysteria for 25 minutes. Especially the girls were moaning and screaming themselves hoarse to the rhythm of their Idols. It was the biggest mass hysteria ever witnessed in this hall," wrote the "Hamburger Morgenpost" about the Beatles' two concerts for 5,700 people in Hamburg. Tabloid "Bild" kept it short: "They screamed. They cried. They fell over."
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/H. Ducklau
From Germany to Japan
After their six short concerts in just three days, it was all over. On Monday June 27, 1966, thousands of fans came to Hamburg's airport to say "Auf Wiedersehen" and send them off on their Asia tour. The four flew directly to Tokyio, and the German media breathed a sigh of relief. "We survived the Beatles," commented the "Sonne" of Baden-Baden.
