Consumer Silence (1 Viewer)

[RichP]

This is 100% false and has been one of the most misunderstood facts in the history of the world.

Michael Jackson never owned the rights to any Beatles songs. He only owned a portion of the Publishing Rights to the catalog of Northern Songs, which contained Lennon/McCartney compositions.

Michael Jackson never had any say whatsoever in who used or didn't use the music of the Beatles, nor who could or couldn't cover a Beatles song or use a Beatles song in a movie, TV show, or commercial. The most he could do would be to prevent the publishing of the sheet music or lyrics to one of the songs in the Catalog. But seeing as how this would be taking money away, there would be no compelling reason to deny those requests provided they were accompanied by the appropriate licensing fees.

Please research the difference between Mechanical rights and publishing rights.

 

[Linda Thompson]

99% correct.

Here's the other 1%:

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a951027.html

http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/jackson.htm