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French rocker Johnny Hallyday fails to win rights to archived hits
2006-12-21
Johnny Hallyday, France's most famous rock singer who built a long career influenced by Elvis Presley, has lost a prolonged legal battle to win rights over his old tunes held by his former music company. The highest appeals court in Paris ruled Wednesday that the rights of the tunes would remain with Universal Music, which immediately greeted the verdict as an example of "logic and justice". Hallyday, born Jean-Philippe Smet in Paris 63 years ago, had fought his case through a series of courts since 2004, arguing that he should be considered the owner of the masters of his old hits -- many of which date back to the 1960s -- following his departure from Universal for Warner. Wednesday's ruling dismissing that assertion dealt a definitive defeat in his legal fight, which has cost a small fortune. The decision came days after Hallyday sparked indignation in France by announcing he was to become a Swiss resident to avoid paying hefty taxes. He is also seeking Belgian nationality through his father which, if granted, would also provide him fiscal relief.
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