Beatles songs to be used in TV ads

Beatles songs can now be used in TV commercials for the first time after the band's back catalogue was opened up to advertisers.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has made 259 songs available for commercial licensing, although the tracks must be re-recorded by other artists.

However, chief executive Martin Bandier said only select "brand partnerships" would be considered and insisted that he had a "moral obligation" to discuss the move with surviving band members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and the family of the late George Harrison.

Procter & Gamble has already used 'All You Need Is Love' to promote Luvs nappies in the US, with fashion firm Lyric Culture securing the rights to 'Revolution' and 'Let it Be'.

In 1987, Nike was sued for $15 million for using 'Revolution' in a TV advert, while the Beatles criticised Michael Jackson in 1995 for "cheapening" their music by allowing it to be used in commercials.