Maurice Levy loses lawsuit against John Lennon

Maurice Levy lost his lawsuit against John Lennon on 20 February 1976.

The court case began on 12 January at the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Levy’s action was brought due to Capitol Records blocking sales of the Roots album, which Levy believed Lennon had granted him permission to sell.

Levy sought $71 in damages for breach of contract. Lennon and Yoko Ono attended many of the court hearings.

The verdict was announced on this day, with Judge Thomas Griesa rejecting Levy’s claims, and decreeing that Lennon was not able to make business decisions independent of Capitol or EMI.

I conclude, on the basis of the evidence about the October 8th, 1974 meeting and on the basis of all the other relevant evidence, that no contract was entered into by Lennon or Apple granting Levy or one of his companies the right to produce and distribute Lennon’s Rock ‘N’ Roll album. In view of the above ruling, it is unnecessary to discuss the Statute of Frauds issue raised by defendants.