Day & Night: Sir Paul McCartney’s battle over song rights

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Sir Paul has launched a legal battle against Sony/ATV music over a track he wrote for The Beatles

The 74-year-old is attempting to sue the record company to reclaim ownership rights in the latest in a growing list of legal disputes in the music industry, involving the likes of Led Zeppelin, Duran Duran, Robin Thicke and Ed Sheeran.

Filed in New York, Sir Paul has requested a declaratory judgment to ensure he obtains the rights to some of the Fab Four’s most famous tracks, including Yesterday, Love Me Do and Hey Jude. Documents state that he passed over the rights to those he co-wrote with his late bandmate John Lennon between 1962 and 1971 to various music publishers.

In response Sony has stated: “We have collaborated closely with both Sir Paul and the late John Lennon’s estate for decades to protect, preserve and promote the catalogue’s long-term value.

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We are disappointed that they have filed this lawsuit.” The move comes just months after fellow Brits Duran Duran lost their own case against Sony/ATV Music.

A judge ruled against the band citing an English law which prohibits them from reclaiming rights to songs from their first three albums – such as Girls On Film and Save A Prayer.

WEDNESDAY evening saw London’s Grosvenor Hotel host the Nordoff Robbins Six Nations rugby dinner – and Day & Night were in attendance rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest shoulders in sport.

The money-raising bash for the music therapy charity featured a dinner, a silent auction as well as live music provided by the likes of former England captain Chris Robshaw’s girlfriend Camilla Kerslake, left, and the band Madness.

James M Warren/SilverHub

Chris Robshaw's girlfriend Camilla Kerslake rocked a glam look at the charity event

Having recently transferred from classical to pop music Camilla, 28, clearly has high aspirations, telling us: “I would really like to do the Bond theme.”

While comedian Al Murray, famed for his pub landlord alter ego, would like nothing more than a stint behind the bar on EastEnders: “If they needed a relief landlord at the Queen Vic I would do it. I think I would smash it.” We do hope he’s speaking figuratively.

sir Patrick channels his inner emoji

IT’S A far cry from Shakespeare for Sir Patrick Stewart who is to play an emoji called Poop in an upcoming film.

The man whose back catalogue includes Macbeth as well as a seven-year stint as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek franchise has signed up for Emoji Movie.

“So excited to announce the distinguished @SirPatStew as Poop in the #EmojiMovie – in theaters August 4th!,” came a tweet confirming the distinguished star’s involvement.

However Sir Patrick is renowned for having a lighter side and it is not the first time he has appeared in comedies, particularly those by Seth MacFarlane.

He was in Ted and Ted 2 and also starred as various characters in Family Guy as well as a long-running stint as the head of the CIA in American Dad.

Emojis incidentally are idiograms – often in the form of smiley faces – which are used on phones and web pages.

JOHNNY DEPP has thanked fans for their support after his divorce settlement with Amber Heard was finalised last week.

Speaking at the People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles, the 53-year-old, who picked up the favourite movie icon gong, said: “For you, the people, who through whatever good times or bad have stood by me and trusted me.

“And you’ve graciously invited me here once again tonight, so I appreciate that so much.

You have no idea how much I appreciate that.” The actor added: “I was very deeply affected by the kindness of your recognition and by your well wishes to my family and myself, which is why it’s especially meaningful for me to be here in front of you to say thank you.”

Original Article