The Beach Boys have cleared the way for a reunion after settling a long-running dispute over the band’s name.

Two of the three remaining Beach Boys have finally settled their legal dispute over the rights to the band’s name.

After a five year battle Al Jardine and Mike Love came to a “friendly settlement" at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, following a two day conference.

Love had originally instigated legal action again Jardine claiming his tours under such names as Beach Boys Family & Friends impinged his own sole right to use the name (even though he was the sole original Beach Boys member in the group).

However, suggestions the two could now join forces were raised when Jardine’s lawyer commented after the settlement, “Mr Jardine feels very happy and feels that this is a friendly settlement that allows them to focus on the talent and future of this American iconic band.”

The Beach Boys' original heart-beat Brian Wilson's remarkable renaissance in recent years has largely rendered both Love and Jardine's Greatest Hits run throughs moribund.

(by C Taylor)