PPL is set to collect neighboring rights for John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Announced on Tuesday (October 15), the deal will see the UK-based collective management organization (CMO) collect worldwide broadcast and public performance rights to recordings where Lennon or Ono are credited as artists in markets where such rights exist.
“PPL has shown that they are the leaders in defending neighborhood rights worldwide,” Lennon's estate said in a statement. “We have the utmost respect for the team and look forward to working with them.”
Lennon released 11 solo albums as a performer, including in the 1970s John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band next to Onos.
As a performer, songwriter or co-writer, Lennon scored 25 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 both as a member of the Beatles and as a solo artist. He also received three No. 1 albums as a solo artist on the Billboard 200.
In 2023, The Beatles released their “final” song, “Now and Then,” which was completed with the help of machine learning-assisted audio restoration. The song reached No. 7 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart.
During her career, Ono has secured 13 No. 1 singles Bulletin boardDance Club Songs chart and released 14 solo albums.
PPL, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2024, has entered into 111 agreements with other CMOs for the collection of royalties, according to a press release.
Peter LeathamCEO of PPL, said in a statement: “It is an honor to be appointed by the John Lennon Estate for neighboring royalty collections. Our team works hard to ensure that no stone is left unturned in the collection of neighboring rights around the world. It is a privilege to support and collect worldwide public performance and broadcast rights for such a respected catalog of recorded music.”
