Does Yoko Ono or Any Member of John Lennon's Family Receive Royalties for Beatles Songs?
The inheritance and distribution of royalties from Beatles songs, particularly from John Lennon's solo work and Beatles compositions, have been a topic of much discussion and speculation. As widowed Yoko Ono, she indeed receives a portion of the royalties from his solo work and certain Beatles songs.
Divided by US Copyright Law
Regarding the Beatles songs, royalties are typically divided according to the original songwriting credits. However, the distribution of publishing royalties for the Lennon/McCartney songbook is a unique case, especially after Lennon's murder. According to US copyright law, John Lennon’s heirs, his sons Julian and Sean, and his widow Yoko Ono, each received a one-third share of his Beatles publishing royalties.
Details of the Distribution
In 2007, Julian sold a significant portion of his interest in Northern Songs future publishing earnings to Primary Wave Music Publishing. This indicates that although Julian, Sean, and Yoko each theoretically receive 33% of the royalties, the actual distribution may vary due to secondary sales and agreements. Yoko Ono, as the head of the John Lennon estate, holds a crucial position in managing these royalties and ensuring that John’s legacy continues to receive appropriate recognition and earnings.
John Lennon's Will and Trust
It is unclear whether John Lennon left a will or a living trust, as the details of his estate have never been fully revealed. Nonetheless, it is evident that Yoko Ono played a significant role in handling the business affairs of the Lennon estate. She managed the majority of the financial aspects, while John Lennon focused on his creative endeavors.
The income derived from the Lennon estate includes songwriting royalties from 200 Beatles songs, half of the songwriter's share. Additionally, it includes half of the writer's share and possibly some of the publishing rights on Lennon's solo projects. Record royalties from his solo projects also contribute to the earnings of the estate.
Modern Ownership of Beatles Songs
It is important to note that while Yoko Ono, Julian, and Sean share a portion of the royalties, the majority of Beatles songs are now owned by the Sony Music Company, with the exception of "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love" which are owned by what is now The Beatles. Yoko Ono notably did this to see if Paul McCartney could do something with John Lennon's acetates of the two songs. The royalties from these songs go to Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison's widow Olivia, and Dhani Harrison, John Lennon's son. However, any rights related to songs written and recorded after John's death go exclusively to Yoko Ono being his wife.
Conclusion
The distribution of royalties from Beatles songs is a complex issue, intertwined with copyright laws, personal relationships, and business arrangements. Yoko Ono’s role as the head of the John Lennon estate, combined with US copyright law, ensures that she receives a significant portion of the royalties from his solo work and certain Beatles songs.