Oasis are suing their former sound engineer to stop an auction of more than 100 hours of 1990s tapes he recorded. Should the tapes belong to him or the band?
The "Desk Tapes" include 63 concert recordings, rehearsals and the brothers' private chat, and had a £1.2m-£1.6m guide price. They were withdrawn from the 3 October sale after Oasis, the Gallaghers and Sony went to the High Court. The engineer reportedly says he is "disappointed and bewildered" and offered the band the tapes first.
What happened
On 29 September Oasis, Noel and Liam Gallagher and Sony Music Entertainment UK began legal action in London's High Court against former sound engineer Huw Richards, his son Owain and Littleton Auctions. The archive, known as the Desk Tapes, includes 63 concert recordings, more than 100 hours of rehearsals and soundchecks, and what is believed to be the only recording of the band's 1996 Loch Lomond gig. It had a guide price of £1.2m-£1.6m and was withdrawn from the 3 October sale.
Why people disagree
The band's side says the recordings were made while Richards worked for them, include private conversations, and that Oasis hold the intellectual property, so they should decide what happens to them. Richards reportedly says he owns the tapes because he made them and has kept them for decades, and that he offered them to the brothers before talks collapsed. Physical memorabilia is often sold separately from the rights.
What's still unclear
The case has not been decided. It is unclear whether anything was agreed when the tapes were made, what the tapes are worth if a buyer can't release them, and whether the two sides will settle.
Sources
- Music Business Worldwide: Oasis archive recordings pulled from auction as band take legal action against former sound engineer
- NME: Oasis reportedly sue auction house over sale of unheard and rare recordings
- Cover Media (via Yahoo): Noel and Liam Gallagher launch legal action against former Oasis sound engineer
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