Daryl Hall has taken legal action against his music partner John Oates, claiming that Oates’ plan to sell off his share of a joint musical venture would breach their business agreement.
A judge has issued a temporary restraining order to halt the sale while legal proceedings and arbitration continue.
The lawsuit alleges that Oates and others involved in his trust cannot proceed with the sale until an arbitrator weighs in on the deal or until the judge’s order expires.
The lawsuit was largely brought forth under seal, obscuring most details. However, the judge has allowed more filings to be made public.
The lawsuit was brought forth under an agreement with confidential terms, concerning a confidential arbitration process.
The lawsuit did not specify what’s at stake in the sale, but Hall has previously expressed disappointment with the sale of his back catalog.
The lawsuit contends that Hall opened an arbitration process against Oates and other defendants in the lawsuit to prevent the sale from proceeding without arbitration.
According to the lawsuit, Oates’ team intimated that the sale could close within days, even though no arbitrator had been chosen yet to resolve the conflict.
The case will be taken up at a court hearing on Nov. 30.
The dispute may center on the music catalog of Hall & Oates, a duo best known for hits such as “Private Eyes,” “Rich Girl,” and “Maneater.”
Hall and Oates have achieved six platinum albums and numerous Top 10 singles, and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Despite the legal dispute, the duo continued to perform as of last year.
John Oates expressed eagerness to perform their well-known hits, indicating that it was not a chore to play those songs because they are great.
• Sherman reported from Copperas Cove, Texas.
Unique perspective:
In situations like these, it’s essential for partners to carefully consider the terms of their business agreements to prevent disputes over important assets like music catalogs. Additionally, the case highlights the significance of retaining publishing rights, as emphasized by Daryl Hall in his advice to fellow artists.
