Photo — Michael Jackson: Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Paul McCartney: album cover for Let it Be (Public domain)
The Short Version
After collaborating on songs in the early 1980s, Paul McCartney advised Michael Jackson on the value of music publishing. In 1985, Jackson purchased ATV Music—which held the publishing rights to over 200 Beatles songs—for $47.5 million, outbidding McCartney and causing a long-standing rift in their relationship.
Latest Development
Paul McCartney Sues Sony/ATV to Reclaim Song Rights
Paul McCartney filed a federal lawsuit against Sony/ATV Music Publishing in Manhattan seeking a court ruling that his exercise of copyright termination rights was lawful and enforceable.
January 18, 2017 · Legal filing
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
January 18, 2017
Paul McCartney Sues Sony/ATV to Reclaim Song Rights
Legal filingPaul McCartney filed a federal lawsuit against Sony/ATV Music Publishing in Manhattan seeking a court ruling that his exercise of copyright termination rights was lawful and enforceable.
Source ↗2017
Paul McCartney and Sony/ATV Reach Confidential Settlement
ReportedPaul McCartney and Sony/ATV Music Publishing resolved the Manhattan lawsuit over the Beatles song catalogue by entering into a confidential settlement agreement.
Source ↗July 9, 2009
Paul McCartney Rejects Reports Regarding Michael Jackson's Will
Public statementPaul McCartney publicly denied media reports claiming Jackson had willed his share of the Beatles catalogue back to him, stating he never expected such a bequest and was not devastated.
Source ↗June 26, 2009
Paul McCartney Issues Statement Following Michael Jackson's Death
Public statementFollowing Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, Paul McCartney released a statement praising Jackson as a massively talented artist with a gentle soul and stating his memories of working together would be happy ones.
Source ↗October 2008
Paul McCartney Serves Termination Notices to Sony/ATV
Legal filingPaul McCartney began serving formal legal termination notices to Sony/ATV under Section 304(c) of the US 1976 Copyright Act to reclaim copyright interests in his songs.
Source ↗August 14, 1985
Michael Jackson Purchases ATV Music Publishing Catalogue
Verified eventMichael Jackson acquired ATV Music, which included the publishing rights to over 200 Beatles songs, for approximately $47.5 million, outbidding Paul McCartney after McCartney had previously advised him to invest in music publishing.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Historical. The personal dispute effectively concluded upon Michael Jackson's death in 2009. Paul McCartney subsequently filed a US federal lawsuit against Sony/ATV in 2017 to reclaim copyright ownership of his songs under US copyright termination laws, reaching a confidential settlement.
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Sources
- 1.SourcePaul McCartney Sues Sony/ATV to Reclaim Song Rights · Jan 18, 2017
- 2.SourcePaul McCartney and Sony/ATV Reach Confidential Settlement ·
- 3.SourcePaul McCartney Rejects Reports Regarding Michael Jackson's Will · Jul 9, 2009
- 4.SourcePaul McCartney Issues Statement Following Michael Jackson's Death · Jun 26, 2009
- 5.SourcePaul McCartney Serves Termination Notices to Sony/ATV ·
- 6.SourceMichael Jackson Purchases ATV Music Publishing Catalogue · Aug 14, 1985
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.