NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Daryl Hall, one half of the iconic music duo Hall & Oates, has filed a lawsuit against his longtime partner, John Oates, over plans to sell off his share of their joint venture. Hall argues that the sale would violate the terms of their business agreement.

The lawsuit has prompted a judge to issue a temporary restraining order, blocking the sale until legal proceedings and an ongoing arbitration process are completed. The order prohibits Oates and those involved in his trust from finalizing the sale of their shares in Whole Oats Enterprises LLP to Primary Wave IP Investment Management LLC.

Chancellor Russell Perkins issued the order on November 16, the same day Hall filed the lawsuit. The details of the lawsuit have been largely kept under seal, although a recent court order allowed some filings to be made public.

Hall's attorneys have argued for the sealing of certain filings, citing the confidentiality of the agreement and the arbitration process. They claim that the dispute is a private matter governed by confidential terms.

While specifics regarding the sale have not been disclosed, Primary Wave has reportedly owned a "significant interest" in Hall and Oates' song catalog for over 15 years. In a 2021 interview, Hall expressed disappointment over previous sales of his back catalog and advised artists to retain their publishing rights.

The lawsuit alleges that Hall initiated an arbitration process on November 9 against Oates and other defendants, including Oates' wife, Aimee Oates, and Richard Flynn, who serve as co-trustees of Oates' trust. Hall sought an order to prevent the sale of their shares in Whole Oats Enterprises to Primary Wave Music.

According to the lawsuit, Oates' team had indicated that the sale could close within days, despite the absence of an arbitrator to resolve the conflict.

Additionally, the lawsuit claims that the letter of intent between Oates' team and Primary Wave Music violated a confidentiality provision by disclosing the music duo's business agreement.

The Associated Press reached out to attorneys for both parties, as well as representatives for Primary Wave Music, for comment, but no responses have been received at the time of writing.

The exact focus of the dispute remains unclear, but it is speculated that it centers around the music catalog of Hall & Oates, known for their chart-topping hits such as "Private Eyes," "Rich Girl," and "Maneater."

Daryl Hall and John Oates, who started their musical journey as Temple University students, signed with Atlantic Records in 1972. Over the years, they have achieved six platinum albums and numerous Top 10 singles, combining elements of blue-eyed soul and pop. In 2014, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their latest album, "Home for Christmas," was released in 2006, and as of last year, the duo continued to perform.

John Oates previously spoke about the joy of performing their hits, emphasizing that it was not a chore but a pleasure due to the quality of the songs.

As the legal battle unfolds, fans eagerly await further developments surrounding the legendary duo and their joint venture.