Yoko Ono wins a round in battle over footage of her late husband

By Jonathan Saltzman, Globe Staff

Yoko Ono won a key battle today in her feud with a Massachusetts company that says it owns the rights to 10 hours of documentary footage of John Lennon and Ono that was shot in 1970 at the couple's estate in England.

US District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel, ruling from the bench in Boston, dismissed a claim by World Wide Video of Lawrence that accused Ono of copyright infringement, according to Ono's lawyer, Jonathan M. Albano.

However, the federal judge allowed Lennon's widow to proceed with her counterclaim against World Wide Video that says she is the rightful owner of the tapes. Zobel is also letting World Wide Video pursue its suit against a Florida man whom the Lawrence company says wrongfully sold the tapes to Ono.

"Mrs. Lennon is very pleased with the court's swift ruling dismissing the lawsuit against her and, more importantly, that the tapes remain with their rightful owners," said a statement issued by Ono's lawyers.

The tapes capture Lennon in one of his most creative periods, shortly after having written "Instant Karma," according to those who have seen it. He is also seen smoking marijuana, discussing how he kicked a heroin habit, and saying he would like to spike Richard Nixon's tea with LSD.

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