Members of Duran Duran have lost a High Court battle over the US rights to some of their most famous songs.

The group had hoped to regain the US copyright to the their first three albums, Duran Duran, Rio and Seven And The Ragged Tiger as well as the Bond film title track A View To A Kill, from Gloucester Place Music Ltd.

They argued that under US copyright law songwriters have the right to claim the copyright back after 35 years.

Gloucester Place, which is owned by US business Sony/ATV, said the group members couldn't reclaim copyright, because their agreements are governed by English laws of contract.

Mr Justice Arnold agreed, despite calling the arguments "finely balanced".

He concluded "not without hesitation, I have come to the conclusion that the (Gloucester Place) interpretation of the agreements if the correct one".

The ruling will be a blow to many UK songwriters who have signed similar agreements with big publishing companies.