BEATLES HEAT FLARE IN COURT . . . JANUARY 25, 1964

U.S. Recording labels Clash in Courts Over Claims to Beatles Recording Rights

 

 

NEW YORK — Vee Jay Records filed a motion in New York’s Supreme Court against both Capitol Records and Swan Records here Friday (January 17) seeking an injunction restraining the companies from manufacturing, distributing, advertising or otherwise of disposing of recordings by the Beatles.

The motion was brought before Judge Mullen in Supreme Court, who reserved decision of the case.

This case is of but one of many suits and countersuits being bandied about the courts over the sensational young singing group from Liverpool. END

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Credit source information: Billboard, January 25, 1964

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CHICAGO — The Beatles, the nation’s hottest recording property today, are becoming the object of the nation’s hottest lawsuits, at least as far as the record industry is concerned.

The rock-and-rolling English group has a series of singles and LP’s out on three labels — Capitol, Vee Jay and Swan. Each of the offerings is bounding up the national charts like Topsy.

And each is becoming involved in a series of suits and countersuits between the various recording companies involved.

Most confused are the nation’s dealers and one-stops, many of whom have received telegrams from one or more of the parties. noting that appropriate legal action would be taken if they persisted in selling the other’s product.

The matter is far from settled, but as of Billboard press time, Capitol was granted an injunction in Cook County Circuit Court (January 15) restraining Vee Jay from manufacturing, distributing, advertising or otherwise disposing of the Beatles’ recordings.

The Capitol injunction is good for 30 days and Vee Jay is slated to file an answer next Wednesday (January 22).

Vee Jay, meanwhile, has filed a suit seeking a similar injunction against Capitol and Swan, with a hearing slated for New York’s Supreme Court before Judge Saul Streit last Friday (January 17).

Under the Capitol injunction, “Vee Jay, its agents, attorneys and servants” are prevented from selling or advertising Beatles’ product.

Presumably, and according to Vee Jay sources, the injunction does not apply against dealers, one-stops, rack jobbers and even distributors who might already have the records in stock.

According to Jay Lasker, Vee Jay executive vice-president, “we’ve shipped an awful lot of records, more than Capitol.”

Capitol attorney, Sidney Zatz, however, has indicated that “steps could he taken” against dealers who persisted in selling the Vee Jay product, though he did not specify what this would entail.

The product causing all the fuss is:

Capitol, “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” a single, No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 this   week, and “Meet The Beatles,” an LP.

Vee Jay, “Please Please Me.” a single, and two LP’s, “Introducing The Beatles,” already distributed, and “The Beatles and Frank Ifield,” not yet shipped but waiting to go.

Swan, “She Loves You”, a single breaking into Billboard’s Hot 100 in position 69.

Neither Vee Jay nor Capitol is seeking damages as of this date, though a Capitol spokesman did not rule out the possibility of this taking place at a later date.

In its motion for injunction, Capitol claimed exclusive U. S. distribution rights to all recordings by the Beatles. The label accused Vee Jay of manufacturing and selling albums introducing the Beatles in violation of Capitol’s exclusive right.

Capitol contended in its suit that Vee Jay’s rights to the Beatles’ recording were canceled last August.

The suit notes that initially Vee Jay was licensed by Trans Global, a New York firm licensed to distribute EMI product. EMI had the original Beatles’ contract.

THE BEATLES 1963

Capitol claims that Trans Global canceled its contract with Vee Jay August 8 because of non-payment of royalties. Trans Global allegedly relinquished its rights to EMI with the latter then turning them over to Capitol.

Vee Jay, meanwhile, contends that it has a five-year contract with the Beatles and that it is definitely not in default for failure to pay royalties.

Capitol’s suit notes that the label has spent 550,000 in extensive nationwide promotion of the Beatles’ recordings. END

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Credit source information: Billboard, January 25, 1964

The Beatles and Frank Ifield on Vee-Jay Records, 1963

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BROADCASTING | DETROIT RADIO WKNR AD: MARCH 3, 1964

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The above Broadcasting March 1964 WKNR ad was digitally re-imaged and restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

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THIS WEEK! WJBK RADIO 15 RECORD REVIEW: JANUARY 24, 1964

WJBK RADIO 15 RECORD REVIEW January 24, 1964

WJBK RADIO 15 RECORD REVIEW January 24, 1964

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This official Record Review survey was tabulated overall by each record’s popularity and its appeal, sales, listener requests and record airplays based on the judgement of WJBK Radio 1500 (1964)

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The above WJBK chart was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

ON YOUR PC? To fully appreciate this WJBK Radio Record Review chart for the week of January 24, 1964 click on image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.

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A sincere thank you, Mrs. Patti Griggs. This featured presentation would have not been possible without your generosity, dedication, and your continuous support.

Above WJBK music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.

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BILLBOARD! RHYTHM and BLUES TOP SINGLES: WEEK-ENDING JANUARY 25, 1969

BILLBOARD Top Rhythm and Blues Singles January 25, 1969

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Many of the above titled Billboard R&B singles were the most popular radio plays heard on two Detroit soul stations 1400 WJLB and 1440 WCHB on the AM dial, January 1969. 

As tabulated by the Billboard Records & Research department, the featured R&B Top 50 record singles were the nation’s most popular and best-selling soul records, for the week-ending January 25, 1969, 54 years ago.

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Above Billboard R&B chart survey digitally restored and re-imaged by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

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THE ESSENCE OF ’60s SOUL GENERATION: 1966 DEFINED!

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Debuted December 18, 1965. Peaked #5 R&B (3 weeks). “Michael (The Lover)” charts 10 total weeks overall in the Billboard R&B Singles chart. B/side: “Cry No More”

Source: Billboard Top R&B Singles [2004 Edition]

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THE ESSENCE OF ’60s SOUL GENERATION: 1966 DEFINED!

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Debuted January 22, 1966. Peaked #3 R&B (3 weeks). “Love Makes The World Go Round” charts 18 total weeks overall in the Billboard R&B Singles chart. B/side: “You Said You Loved Me”

Source: Billboard Top R&B Singles [2004 Edition]

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THE ESSENCE OF ’60s SOUL GENERATION: 1966 DEFINED!

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Debuted January 22, 1966. Peaked #1 R&B (2 weeks). “Baby Scratch My Back” charts 18 total weeks overall in the Billboard R&B Singles charts. B/side: “I’m Gonna Miss You (Like The Devil)”

Source: Billboard Top R&B Singles [2004 Edition]

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THE ESSENCE OF ’60s SOUL GENERATION: 1966 DEFINED!

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Debuted January 1, 1966. Peaked #35 R&B. “Are You There” charts 4 total weeks overall in the Billboard R&B Singles charts. B/side: “If I Ever Make You Cry”

Source: Billboard Top R&B Singles [2004 Edition]

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THE ESSENCE OF ’60s SOUL GENERATION: 1966 DEFINED!

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Debuted November 13, 1965. Peaked #5 R&B. “Hole In The Wall” charts 15 total weeks overall in the Billboard R&B Singles charts. B/side: “Go Head On”

Source: Billboard Top R&B Singles [2004 Edition]

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