Beatles songs used in adverts

[Whoa Nelly]

Does anyone know if any Beatles song has appeared on either VA compilation albums, film soundtracks (other than their own films) or used in any advertisement? I can't and was wondering if there is a reason for this?

[dr pop]

This is what happened the first time somebody tried

"Nike has been a focus of criticism for their use of the Beatles song "Revolution 1" in a commercial, against the wishes of Apple Records, the Beatles' recording company. Nike paid $250,000 to Capitol Records Inc., which held the North American licensing rights to the Beatles' recordings, for the right to use the Beatles' rendition for a year.

According to a July 28, 1987 article written by the Associated Press, Apple sued Nike Inc., Capitol Records Inc., EMI Records Inc. and Wieden+Kennedy advertising agency for $15 million. Capitol-EMI countered by saying the lawsuit was 'groundless' because Capitol had licensed the use of "Revolution" with the "active support and encouragement of Yoko Ono Lennon, a shareholder and director of Apple."

According to a November 9, 1989 article in the Los Angeles Daily News, "a tangle of lawsuits between the Beatles and their American and British record companies has been settled." One condition of the out-of-court settlement was that terms of the agreement would be kept secret. The settlement was reached among the three parties involved: George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr; Yoko Ono; and Apple, EMI and Capitol Records. A spokesman for Yoko Ono noted, "It's such a confusing myriad of issues that even people who have been close to the principals have a difficult time grasping it. Attorneys on both sides of the Atlantic have probably put their children through college on this."

Nike discontinued airing ads featuring "Revolution" in March 1988. Yoko Ono later gave permission to Nike to use John Lennon's "Instant Karma" in another ad.

I presume the remaining Beatles do not want their work used as adverts,,even to the extent of sueing their old record distributor, and of course without their permission.....

[ELVIS68]

With that sort of attitude, they won`t get far

[Whickerman]

I had a compilation album in the 70s called "All you need is love" that featured that song by the beatles. Was various artists. Hope that helps!

[maxximus]

i thought michael jackson and sony records owned the rights to the beatles song library?

[andy-hughes]

The use of songs in commercials is frought with legal loopholes, and a lot of companies find it easier to source music eslewhere.

Neil Aspinall who runs the Apple Company has always refused to allow any Beatles songs to be used in compilations which is why there are none, use in adverts is a little more tricky because the copyright issues are a lot less clear cut, as dr pop ably illustrates.

[NJOK]

The electronics company Philips used to use one, possibly 'Getting Better' from Sgt Peppers. It's was cover version sung by Gomez though.

[lil'frog]

Also, the soundtarck of the film 'My Name is Sam' is a compilation of Beatles covers by various artists such as Grandaddy, Ben Harper or Rufus Wainwright. And it's brilliant =)

[lil'frog]

Woops, the title of this film is actually 'I am Sam'

[Memore]

Did I imagine it or did I hear Here comes the Sun on an advert a few years ago? not sure what for and I might be making it up!

[ELVIS68]

Memore...I believe it was used for a holiday programme years ago, it was written by George Harrison so I`m not sure if it slips the net ...so to speak

[bavi8]

'Twist and shout' is used in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'