Yoko Ono issued a statement today contradicting some news reports in print and on the internet that she sold her copyright on the letters of John Lennon to be featured in a forthcoming book to be edited by Beatles biographer Hunter Davies.
"As John Lennon’s wife she does hold the underlying copyright of the letters even if she is not in physical possession of the letters John has written to people other than herself. As she feels Hunter Davies to be a trustworthy friend of long years, and a good editor, she is granting permission for Hunter to publish such a book, subject to her approval of the letters," the statement read.
"Ono has not sold any copyrights regarding these letters and, as yet, no contract has been signed with any publisher for this project."
Author Davies' reaction was also included in the statement. “I just got back from holiday to read that Yoko Ono has, quote, 'sold her late husband’s letters.' She has done no such thing. This whole project is my idea and all Yoko Ono has done is agree to the idea and give me permission to reproduce them as, of course, she holds the copyright. She has not sold them, to me or anyone else, and it is deeply offensive to suggest otherwise," he said.
Comments
I'm feeling a bit better about this with Hunter associated with it...
I'm not. I'm actually very disappointed in Hunter Davies for this project. He never seemed to favor any one Beatle and yet here he is lodging himself solidly with Lennon. Like we need more Lennon hagiography. A book coming out in the 50th anniversary year of Love Me Do should feature letters written by all FOUR Beatles.
And I'm sorry, Hunter, but given that Lennon's image was licensed to a European car commercial last year, how is it "deeply offensive" that Yoko would sell the copyright on these letters?
The point was she wouldn't have to and didn't. Some reports on this story assumed a little too much and they were wrong.
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