Suing Spree :: The Temptations Sue Universal Music Group + 9 Other Companies

Universal Music Group (UMG) is in some Big Trouble (we think)! Recently, several lawsuits have been filed against the company from artists who claim that they are not being paid the fair and appropriate amount for their downloaded songs. They assert that they are being paid the “sales” amount for their downloaded material, when they should be getting paid the “licenses” amount, which is far greater. Over 12 musicians have previously come to court with these allegations, and now 2 members from the 1960s group, The Temptations (Otis Williams and Ron Tyson), have filed a lawsuit as well. Late last week, they brought their issue to the California court. Their lawsuit document reads,

“UMG’s Standard Recording Agreements are, in every material way, the same as those at issue in F.B.T. Prods. Accordingly, Plaintiffs here allege that the digital download income received by UMG from Digital Content Providers are based on ‘licenses’ and not ‘sales,’ as those terms are defined in UMG’s Standard Recording Agreements with these Providers. Just as in F.B.T. Prods., UMG has not properly accounted for the appropriate amount of royalties owed to Plaintiffs and Class members.”

But The Temptations aren’t only attacking UMG, they are also pursuing revenue they feel was not paid to them from Amazon, Napster, Rhapsody, Zune, eMusic, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile! They allege that all of these companies are giving their customers downloaded Temptations songs, but not paying the due price to the group, in return. According to them, the “sales” price they are being paid is 14% of the money each company makes off of downloaded Temptations songs. But the “licenses” price they should be getting paid is 50%. That’s a huge difference, right? I guess that’s why the group members felt the need to hire 13 lawyers, from five different law firms, to defend their case! Hopefully, we will get an official response from some of the companies that have been accused. Stay tuned!

[HollywoodReporter]

-@Kami2Kute

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