PAUL McCARTNEY: Not backing down on his lawsuit against a music publisher
Paul McCartney is not backing down on the lawsuit he filed in January against music publisher Sony/ATV McCartney in regards to trying to get back the rights to some of his early Beatles recordings. Under §304(c) of the U.S. Copyright Act, he has the ability to grab back rights to works by serving a notice of termination.
Reacting Wednesday to remarks made by the publisher's lawyer that said his lawsuit was "unripe," McCartney lawyer Michael Jacobs sent a letter to the judge saying, "Delay would not simplify the parties' dispute, but it would prejudice McCartney. As long as Sony/ATV refuses to disavow any right to sue for breach of contract, McCartney has a cloud over the title to his works, which devalues his rights."
GEORGE MICHAEL: Finally laid to rest
George Michael's loved ones were finally able to lay the singer to rest -- and managed to keep the funeral private, as he would have wished.
Former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley and Michael's partner Fadi Fawaz were among the mourners who gathered for the ceremony, which was held at London's Highgate Cemetery. There was no hearse, and the body of the 53-year-old singer, who died on Christmas Day, is believed to have arrived inside a private ambulance.
The family did issue a statement saying, "We can confirm that the funeral of the singer George Michael took place today. George Michael's family would like to thank his fans across the world for their many messages of love and support. We ask that the family's wish for privacy be respected so that they can continue to live their lives privately, away from any media intrusion." (Daily Mail)