(NEW YORK) - A federal appeals court in San Francisco has upheld an earlier decision that awarded the Kingsmen the rights to their recording of the rock classic "Louie Louie," according to press reports. |

The band, which released the most popular version of the rock chestnut in 1963, never received royalties for their recording. In 1995, the Kingsmen filed a lawsuit to reclaim the rights from Nashville-based G.M.L. Records, which in 1984 purchased 102 of the band's masters, including its version of "Louie Louie."

In that case, the band members successfully argued that since they never received royalties or accounting statements, the contract had been breached and they were free to rescind the 1984 deal.