The Beatles - Wikipedia
Harrison and Starr acquired shares of Northern Songs, while Lennon and McCartney renewed their publishing contracts. Harrison created Harrisongs and signed with Apple Publishing, while Starr created Startling Music. The Beatles attempted to buy a controlling interest in Northern Songs but failed, leading ATV to acquire the company. In 1981, Grade offered to sell ATV Music and Northern Songs to McCartney for £20 million, which was rejected. In 1985, Michael Jackson purchased ATV, gaining control of Beatles song publishing rights. In 2016, Sony acquired Jackson's share of Sony/ATV from his estate for $750 million.