Check out what’s happening at FoxBusiness.com
A judge’s will Put a planned business sale on hold while bandmates Daryl Hall and John Oates work out an agreement.
An injunction in a lawsuit filed by Hall prevents Oates from selling his interest in Whole Oats Enterprises until an arbitrator decides, which is February 17.
While Hall and Oates did not appear in court Thursday, lawyers argued on their behalf over the guitarist’s decision to sell half of his stake in Whole Oats Enterprises to Primary Wave Music.
The sale has been paused while an arbitrator resolves the dispute between members of the rock band Hall & Oates.
HALL & OATES SINGER DARYL HALL ISSUED AN INJURY AGAINST bandmate JOHN OATES
Neither Daryl Hall nor John Oates appeared in court Thursday. (Getty Images/Getty Images)
“You cannot sell half of a partnership to a third party without the consent of the other party, and that is intuitively true,” Christine Lepera, an attorney for Hall, said in court.
A lawyer for Oates, Tim Warnock, said Hall’s allegations that Oates acted behind his back were untrue.
“Mr. Oates proceeded exactly as he was permitted to proceed,” Warnock said, referring the judge to their joint business agreement, which remains sealed in the case. “Mr. Hall could have done exactly the same thing himself.”
Hall accused Oates of “ultimate partnership betrayal” in court documents filed Wednesday, saying his bandmate tried to sell his share of a joint venture without Hall’s permission. According to a court statement from Hall, the joint venture includes Hall & Oates’ trademarks, personal name and image rights, record licensing revenue, and website and social media assets.
After attempting to enter arbitration on November 9, Hall filed a separate lawsuit seeking an injunction to stop Oates from selling his interest in Whole Oats Enterprises. The company is led by both musicians.
The injunction, issued Nov. 17, prohibits Oates from selling his stake in Primary Wave Music until an arbitrator weighs in or until the injunction expires, according to court documents obtained by FOX Business.
An arbitrator has now been selected to resolve the dispute, the lawyers for both musicians said in court on Thursday.
HALL & OATES singer DARYL HALL’s injunction is blocking bandmate John Oates’ planned business sale
Daryl Hall sued John Oates after the guitarist tried to sell his half of a joint venture. (Getty Images/Getty Images)
The legal battle began Nov. 16 when Hall sued Oates in Nashville. The lawsuit is sealed by court order, but is listed in the contract/debt category. The injunction was issued on November 24th.
The two men formed the pop-rock band Hall & Oates in the 1970s, and although they never officially broke up, both Hall and Oates have pursued solo careers for years.
Hall & Oates released their debut album, Whole Oats, in 1972. Since their inception, they have released 18 studio albums and recorded six No. 1 singles. Hall & Oates’ biggest hits include “Rich Girl,” “Maneater” and “You Make My Dreams.”
According to Variety, the two were on tour together as recently as October 2022.
Do you like what you’re reading? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Daryl Hall’s injunction blocked John Oates’ planned business sale. (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Hall made it clear in an interview in 2022 that there was a breakup between him and Oates.
“Do you think John Oates is my partner?” … He’s my business partner,” Hall said during an appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast. “He’s not my creative partner.”
“John and I are brothers, but we are not creative brothers. We are business partners. We made records together called Hall & Oates, but we were always very separate, and that’s a really important thing to me.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT FOX BUSINESS
Daryl Hall and John Oates released their first album in 1972. (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Hall used the example of the band’s song “Kiss on My List” to prove how separate the two were. While Oates is listed as a co-producer on the track, he is not listed as a songwriter.
“I did all of that [harmonies]Hall said. “It’s all me.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO by CLICKING HERE
The Associated Press contributed to this report.