I don't know if this is the final word on this matter or not. I'm not a lawyer. But I'm wondering...IF Michael Jackson DID leave HIS portion of the catalog to McCartney, couldn't that make the Beatle a 50% owner. Word on the street is no...

The latest news reports indicate that Jackson's will is dated 2002 so it is doubtful it includes Paul McCartney at all. And even if it does, Jackson may have began a 50% owner (with Sony ATV) of Beatles' songs but he borrowed heavily against that ownership it looks like all the rights will revert back to Sony ATV and they plan to retain them.

NetNews reports:

Sony/ATV Music Publishing, co-owned by MICHAEL JACKSON and SONY, will keep control of BEATLES songs following the pop singer's death, said a person with knowledge of the venture's plans.

THE WASHINGTON POST reports that "JACKSON, who died THURSDAY at age 50 in LOS ANGELES, owned 50% of SONY/ATV, which holds rights to more than 200 songs written by JOHN LENNON and PAUL MCCARTNEY, as well as songs by BOB DYLAN, NEIL DIAMOND and others. His stake is worth about $1 billion, said IVAN THORNTON, a private-wealth adviser who has worked with Jackson.

"SONY/ATV will continue to hold the LENNON and MCCARTNEY catalogue, said the person, who asked not to be named because the matter isn't public.

BRITAIN's DAILY MIRROR reported in JANUARY that JACKSON planned to leave THE BEATLES rights to MCCARTNEY in his will to heal a rift between the musicians.

JACKSON paid $47.5 million in 1985 for the catalogue, outbidding MCCARTNEY and LENNON's widow, YOKO ONO.

More Rock News