NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A legal battle has come to light as Daryl Hall has taken legal action against his longtime music partner John Oates. The lawsuit argues that Oates’ plan to sell off his share of their joint venture would breach their business agreement.
A Nashville chancery court judge has issued a temporary restraining order to block the sale, pending the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings and arbitration.
The temporary restraining order prevents Oates and others involved in his trust from closing the sale of their share of Whole Oats Enterprises LLP to Primary Wave IP Investment Management LLC until the arbitrator weighs in on the deal or until the court’s order expires, typically within 15 days unless extended by a judge.
The lawsuit, largely filed under seal at first, concerns the confidentiality of the business agreement and the proposed sale. Hall’s attorneys argued that the dispute and arbitration process are private and contain confidential terms.
While the lawsuit did not specify what’s at stake in the sale, it is known that Primary Wave has owned a significant interest in Hall and Oates’ song catalog for over 15 years. Hall previously expressed disappointment with the sale of his back catalog in a 2021 interview, advising artists to retain their publishing rights.
Hall opened an arbitration process seeking to prevent Oates and the other defendants in the lawsuit from selling their part in Whole Oats Enterprises to Primary Wave Music. The lawsuit states that Oates’ team had indicated the sale could close within days, even before an arbitrator had been chosen to address the conflict.
The lawsuit further alleges that the letter of intent between Oates’ team and Primary Wave Music for the sale disclosed the duo’s business agreement in violation of a confidentiality provision, constituting a breach of contract.
The case is scheduled for a court hearing on November 30, and there is still uncertainty about whether the dispute centers on the music catalog of Hall & Oates.
Daryl Hall and John Oates, who started as Temple University students before signing with Atlantic Records in 1972, have achieved six platinum albums and numerous Top 10 singles. The duo, known for their unique approach to blue-eyed soul, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Their latest album, “Home for Christmas,” was released in 2006, and the duo continued to perform as of last year.
“We have this incredibly good problem of having so many hits,” Oates said in a 2021 interview.
• Sherman reported from Copperas Cove, Texas.
Unique Perspective:
It’s not often we get a glimpse behind the scenes of a musical partnership, but legal battles like these can shed light on the complexities of collaboration in the music industry. This case also serves as a reminder for artists to be vigilant in protecting their creative rights and business agreements, showcasing the importance of clarity and transparency in joint ventures.
