The band, which signed up with EMI in 1967, also challenged its record label over the level of royalties paid for songs sold online, but that matter remains unresolved.

Lawyers in London said that other bands might be examining their contracts to see if they can use similar clauses to regain control of the sale of their music.

The ruling is a further blow for EMI, which lost its chief executive on Tuesday amid suggestions that bands including Pink Floyd and Queen were considering leaving the company.

EMI has suffered strained relations with its artists since it was bought in 2007 by Terra Firma, the private equity group run by Guy Hands. Sir Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Radiohead have all quit since the takeover.