Who Owns the Beatles Royalties? A Breakdown

Discover who owns the royalties of The Beatles, including key figures and entities involved.

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Beatles royalties are primarily owned by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison. Additionally, Michael Jackson's estate and Sony/ATV Music Publishing have held rights to their catalog.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Who are the current owners of The Beatles' music rights? The music rights are primarily owned by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison, as well as Michael Jackson's estate.
  2. How did Michael Jackson acquire Beatles royalties? Michael Jackson acquired the rights to The Beatles' catalog through his purchase of ATV Music in 1985, which later became part of Sony/ATV.
  3. What percentage of Beatles royalties does Paul McCartney own? Paul McCartney retains a significant percentage of Beatles royalties, particularly from the publishing side of their catalog.
  4. Are Beatles royalties shared among band members? Yes, Beatles royalties are shared among the surviving members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as the estates of the late John Lennon and George Harrison.