MPL Communications

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MPL Communications is the holding company for the business interests of Sir Paul McCartney. In addition to handling McCartney's post-Beatles work, MPL has also become one of the world's largest privately owned music publishers through its acquisition of numerous other publishing companies.[1] MPL, which stands for "McCartney Productions Limited," is based in London and New York.

MPL publishing owns a wide range of copyrighted material - covering nearly 100 years of music - by composers including McCartney, Buddy Holly, Jerry Herman, Frank Loesser, Meredith Willson, Harold Arlen and many others,[1] with songs such as, “Rock-a-bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody” (which was made famous by Al Jolson) in its catalogue. It also controls 25 subsidiary companies.[2]

McCartney's second eldest daughter, photographer and photo editor Mary McCartney Donald, runs the picture department.

In October of 2006, the Trademark Registry in London reported that McCartney's company started a process to trademark his name on saleable goods such as pantyhose, waistcoats and vegetarian food.[3] The application was made by MPL Communications. If it is accepted it will give MPL the exclusive right to use the name “McCartney” on any clothing, footwear or headgear. The application also included such items as bathrobes, fancy dress, overalls, sports clothing and swimwear. When a trademark has been allowed its owners can stop any other company from using identical - or even similar - names and logos.[3]

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ a b MPL music publishing
  2. ^ List of MPL subsidiary companies
  3. ^ a b Trademark The Guardian - Saturday October 14, 2006

[edit] External links


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