John Oates opens up about legal feud with Daryl Hall, says it was 'ruining' his life

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Music legend John Oates has addressed his ongoing legal feud with his long-time musical partner, Daryl Hall which he said was "ruining" his life.

The dispute stems after Oates decided to sell his half of the shared music catalog of their joint venture, Whole Oats Enterprises LLP, to music publisher Primary Wave Music without Hall’s permission.

John Oates defends trying to sell his half of the catalog

Oates defended his decision and shed light on the complex legal "wrangles" that ensued when Halls, his business partners for over 50 years, responded by filing a lawsuit followed by a restraining order against Oats in November 2023 restricting the sale.

The lawsuit would have violated the terms of a business agreement the duo had forged.

Oates explained his decision, stating, "When this whole situation got mired in legality and really complex legal wrangles, I got frustrated."

He added that Hall had "always wanted to be his own man," and he was simply trying to "give him the opportunity to do that".

"If I sell my half, he can either, you know, he can do what he wants," he said on 'Good Morning America'.

"It was kind of ruining my life to be honest with you, I wasn’t happy," he further stated.

How did Daryl Hall react when John Oates revealed his decision to sell half of their catalog?

Oats described Hall's reaction to selling his half of the catalog as "a completely clandestine and bad faith move," and "the ultimate partnership betrayal."

Oates insisted that he doesn’t see it that way. "We’ve always looked at ourselves as individuals working together and I felt like I had the right to do that," he said.

The legal battle quickly escalated, with a judge temporarily blocking the sale while legal proceedings and a previously initiated arbitration continued.

John Oates loves Daryl Hall like a brother

Despite the ongoing legal feud, Oates confirmed that they haven’t made music for the past two decades, they’ve only performed their hits live together.

He echoed his 'Good Morning America' comments about Hall during a People interview about 'Reunion' where Oates called the lawsuit “boring, legal mumbo-jumbo.”

“I have no plans (to play together again). I always felt Daryl wanted to make his mark as a solo artist as well, and in a way, what’s happened has given him the freedom to do whatever he wants," Oates told People.

"I’m happy for him, and I’m really happy for me. I don’t see any downside to it.”

Despite his comments, Oates said he loves Hall like a brother and wished him the best, but said brothers disagree and grow apart.

"I love him like a brother.... I love you like a brother, if I'm talking to him directly. But do you know what? Brothers have disagreements. Families grow apart," he said as Daily Mail reported.

The duo sang hits like 'Rich Girl' and 'You Make My Dreams (Come True)'.