Hall and Oates settle legal dispute. Will they ever reunite?

Hall and Oates may never be an active musical entity again, but at least the rather strained partnership at least have come to a legal resolution.

Daryl Hall and John Oates ended their dispute over their business partnership through arbitration, according to the Associated Press. There are no current details on what the resolution entails or the terms agreed to by both parties.

In November 2023, Daryl Hall filed suit against John Oates with the claim that Oates was attempting to sell his share of their joint venture, Whole Oats Enterprises LLP, to music publishing company, Primary Wave IP Investment Management LLC. The company already had a significant interest in the duo’s music catalog. Hall’s declaration filed in the Nashville Chancery Court, as obtained by Rolling Stone, stated he felt Oates was committing the “ultimate partnership betrayal” and claimed his former songwriter partner only gave him a two-day notice of the sale before he was due to hold out on tour.

John Oates filed his own declaration stating he was “tremendously disappointed” by Hall’s statements. “I have no idea who or what is motivating Daryl to take these steps and make such salacious statements, but I am deeply hurt,” Oates wrote. He said over the last 50 years, he has devoted himself to ensuring that fans and the music industry “perceive the Hall & Oates music and brand in the most positive light.”

A formidable musical duo who created hits throughout the late 1970s and 1980s together, such as “Maneater” and “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” seems to be all put to rest despite the resolution. In an interview in February with The Times, Hall pretty much put an end to hopes of reconciliation with his former musician partner. “That ship has gone to the bottom of the ocean,” Hall said. “I’ve had a lot of surprises in my life, disappointments, betrayals, so I’m kind of used to it.”