Probably due to licensing out the Beatles name/trademark
Most likely just Yoko being purposely difficult to anything and everything Beatles related just for the sake of it
( Below is courtesy of ChatGPT )
Yoko Ono has often been portrayed as a contentious figure in Beatles-related matters, particularly in decisions concerning new releases or projects involving The Beatles' legacy. Below is a summary of some alleged actions attributed to her that are perceived as obstructive:
General Claims of Being Difficult in Beatles-Related Matters
As executor of John Lennon's estate, Yoko Ono has had significant influence over decisions related to Lennon’s works, sometimes leading to disputes with the remaining Beatles.
- **Delays and Disputes Over Beatles Releases:** Accusations that she has delayed or imposed conditions on Beatles anthologies, documentaries, and other projects.
- **Critical Role in Licensing Decisions:** Reports of her opposing the use of certain Lennon recordings or the release of projects she felt misrepresented his contributions.
- **"Free as a Bird" and "Real Love" (1994-1995):**
- Allegedly objected to the use of Lennon’s demo tapes for these tracks, despite eventually consenting.
- Rumors circulated that she initially withheld the cleanest demo tapes until negotiations satisfied her terms.
- **The Beatles' "Anthology" Project (1990s):**
- Supposedly resisted the project initially, citing concerns about how Lennon's role would be portrayed.
- Allegedly required guarantees about her involvement and influence over Lennon's legacy in the project.
- **Conflict with Paul McCartney Over Song Credits:**
- Disagreed with McCartney’s request to change songwriting credits from “Lennon-McCartney” to “McCartney-Lennon” for songs primarily written by McCartney. This dispute became public in the early 2000s and is seen as a sticking point in their relationship.
- **Apple Corps Lawsuits:**
- Yoko Ono has been involved in legal disputes as a director of Apple Corps, The Beatles’ holding company. Some reports suggest her stance has complicated negotiations in lawsuits, such as those involving The Beatles and EMI or unauthorized uses of their music.
- **2006 Legal Action Over Lennon's Name:**
- Took legal action to prevent the use of Lennon’s name in association with certain Beatles memorabilia without her approval.
- **Resistance to "Let It Be" Film Re-Release:**
- Accused of resisting the re-release of the 1970 film "Let It Be," purportedly because of how it portrayed Lennon and her presence during the sessions.
Tensions with Ex-Beatles Members
- **Relationship with George Harrison:**
- Harrison reportedly found Ono difficult to work with, particularly during the "Anthology" sessions.
- **Threats or Legal Action Against Paul McCartney:**
- Publicly criticized McCartney’s attempts to highlight his contributions to The Beatles' catalog.
- **Impact on The Beatles' Inner Circle:**
- Allegedly contributed to rifts within the Beatles' families and their management teams over the years.
Contextual Considerations
Some of these allegations might be influenced by media biases, conflicting personal interests among The Beatles' surviving members, or Ono’s firm stance on protecting Lennon’s legacy. Many of these disputes are complex and involve legal, emotional, and artistic dimensions.