Sony sued over rights to Beatles music

Music publisihing giant Sony/ATV is being sued by famous songwriter Sir Paul McCartney who claims ownership to some of the songs he wrote for The Beatles.

McCartney who alongside John Lennon sold the rights to some of their songs in the 80’s, had Michael Jackson buy rights to songs like,‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Let It Be’. Michael Jackson later bought shares in Sony/ATV and after his death, the company bought some of his assets (including some of The Beatles works) for $750 Million.

McCartney’s lawyers beleive the 1976 US Copyright Act which stipulates that rights to works made before 1978 must be returned to their creators after 56 years from the date of the original copyright.

2018 will make it 56 years since some of McCartney’s songs were written however his lawyers say they have not heard any word from Sony/ATV that the works will be ruly returned to hence the reason for the lawsuit.