November 27, 2006 9:53

Bands lose battle to extend copyright on their songs

The Beatles and Rolling Stones could lose royalties

Photo Gallery: The Beatles

The Beatles and Rolling Stones could be set to lose out on royalties after failing to extend copyright on their songs beyond 50 years.

An independent review commissioned by the UK Treasury ruled that the current laws are to remain in place despite artists, including Cliff Richard, lobbying for copyright to be extended on their songs to 95 years to bring it into line with American laws.

The move means that the likes of the earliest Beatles recordings from 1963 will be out of copyright by 2013, and the remaining members will not be entitled to royalties.

The review was conducted for Chancellor Gordon Brown by Andrew Gowers, a former editor of the Financial Times, reports BBC News.