According to the documents, Hall accuses Oates of attempting to sell half of Whole Oats Enterprises LLP’s assets without seeking approval, characterizing it as a surreptitious move. Whole Oats Enterprises LLP holds crucial rights, including trademarks, personal names, likenesses, royalty income, and specific social media assets related to Hall & Oates, as outlined in the filing.
In a declaration submitted on Wednesday, Hall contends that Oates provided false information about his intention to maintain ownership in Whole Oats Enterprises LLP. The alleged “bad faith conduct” by Oates has, according to Hall, caused significant upheaval, harm, and difficulty in his life, accompanied by unnecessary expenses and burdens.
Oates responded with a declaration of his own on Wednesday, vehemently denying the accusations, as disclosed in a copy of the filing.
This legal battle came to light last week when Hall filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Oates in Nashville’s chancery court, citing a “contract/debt” dispute, which was granted by the court. The case was initially sealed, keeping the nature of the allegations undisclosed until this recent revelation.
Hall & Oates, with a musical journey dating back to the 1960s, experienced remarkable success, earning 29 Top Forty hits from 1976 to 1990, particularly thriving in the early 1980s with chart-toppers like “Private Eyes” and “Maneater.”