What happens to the Beatles catalogue now?

Anyone?

Same thing that happens to the rest of Michael's estate: it goes into probate.

Don't hold your breath to see how that turns out. It'll make the fight over Bob Marley's estate look like a tea party.

litigation my friend!

probably not even settled by the time Blanket leaves this mortal coil.

I think it bears asking: what's going to happen to MJ's remains? Will they be taken the conventional route (burial, or cremation)? Or will they be preserved and displayed, like the Elephant Man's bones?

just checked into MJ's financial state and all the zillions of dollars he owes on some pretty shakey financial dealings and less than ideal loans.
What could he possibly use for collateral to secure all these?


"The collateral for those loans is not his real estate, but Mr. Jackson’s stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing. It’s a valuable asset: It holds a portfolio of thousands of songs, including rights to 259 songs by John Lennon and Paul McCartney."

Look for your fave Beatle songs in upcoming financial institution commercials!

The Beatles bailout!

Post Edited (01-14-10 20:03)

If Sony is willing to break the set, let's all chip in and buy one. I vote for Paperback Writer.

Post Edited (01-14-10 20:02)

If you can afford the rights to that song, Ned, you are living pretty nicely.

> I was thinking Michael Jackson left the songs to Paul McCartney in his will.

Now why would you wish that on Paul? Didn't he deal with enough lawyers during his divorce?

I'd heard that too, about Jackson leaving the songs to McCartney in his will. I've always assumed it was an urban myth, but I've got no real reason to think that other than the fact that it just sounds like one. His portion of the copyrights was pretty much his main source of steady income in his later years, and I can't imagine him diverting that income from his children to McCartney just to be a nice guy.

But with Jackson, who knows?

Doesn't Sony ATV now co-own Jackson's publishing holdings? If so, I can't imagine they'd let something that valuable go quietly.

Yes, MJ sold a 50 percent stake in his publishing holdings to Sony in 1995. Later business dealings gave Sony the opportunity to buy half of MJ's remaining share; I don't know if Sony got to follow through on that one, though.

Jackson's kids: Blanket, PooBear, Stout, Monkeybottom -- they're all gonna rush to the Magistrate to change their names. Just wait.

And btw

What happens to the Beatles catalogue now? MICHAEL'S DEAD!!

iS THat all you can think of? The Beatles catalogue? WE LOST the LAST of THE GIANT SONG and DANCE men!! (Sob, sob)

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a lot less magical and freaky today.

Michael mortgaged his 50% stake in the publishing rights to the songs he owns to fund his lifestyle. As such he couldn't will them to anyone unless the bills were paid off and they certainly aren't. My guess is that Sony, who owns the other 50%, has the right to of first refusal in terms of buying Michael's 50%. As such if the creditors and Sony can come to a mutually agreed upon price Sony will end up owning all of the song publishing rights and Michael's estate will use the money to pay off the debts before his kids ever see a dime. From what I understand he owes more than the his assets are worth and as such I don't think there is going to be much left over for the kids to fight over other than future royalties off his music.