Feminem $ees Green - Record Label Lawsuit Finally Goes To Trial!
Filed under: Legal Matters > Eminem
Eminem is spearheading a lawsuit that could be bringing artists a hefty payday in the near future!
The rapper, who slapped Universal Music Group with a lawsuit 2 years ago regarding the royalties of digital downloads, is going to court over the dispute today!
The debate is whether song downloads should fall under the category of a licensing deal or a distribution deal. A licensing deal would split the profits 50/50 between the record label and artist, while the current distribution deal in play only provides the artist with less than 20 cents per download!
Multiply those figures by a couple hundred thousand, and you'll end up with a large amount of $$$ missing!!
Feminem's lawyers are claiming digital downloads should fall under "traditional licensing agreements", which would bring the rapper over $1.3 million dollars in royalties dating back to 1998. His lawyers are counting on using the wording of distribution agreements between Universal and digital music distributors, such as Apple/iTunes who used the phrase "license rights to distribute music from others" in their terms with the record group.
Jimmy Iovine, founder of Interscope (a Universal subsidiary and home to Fem), is expected to testify in person while Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, is expected testify via video chat.
Fem will be absent from the trial.
Boring!
If Eminem & Co. win the lawsuit, this would mean some giant checks will be made out to the artists under Universal, including Jay-Z, U2, and Kanye West!
[Image via WENN.]
Big deal!
And he is still a douchebag.
FUCK YOU PEREZ FLAMER! Em is HOT
I hope you bump into Slim Sady at a Elton John Party sometime.He might want a word with you.
Give it up Em you haven't made anything worth hearing for a minute. Just fade out like an old hippie, except, you know…die.
Re: Big Black Dick – BBD - an insult to douchbags I fear…
FUCK EM HE SUCKS…………….
i miss himmmmmmmmmm!
In a non-celeb trial, a person would NEVER be allowed to testify via video chat, they would be required to be there.
He has spent so much of his time around these ignorant black fools that now he is using their version of The Ghetto Lottery to make money? Why to go wigger?
I remember hearing this, but all the way back to 98? Damn that is going to be one sick payday.
Re: Mentalist – Those ignorant black dudes..like 50 and Dr.Dre without them he would have been broke a long tyme ago…
I HOPE HE GETS THE MONEY AND MAKES SOME MORE HITS!
This is impressive. Artists everywhere may be lining up to thank Eminem.
This guy has a pair. I have enormous respect for him in many ways.
Yeah because we all know how bad those very famous rappers need it! I hope they donate the money to charities if they do win.
Can't stand Feminem but if the record labels are screwing the artists, this needs to change.
Best rapper of all times isn't here to enjoy any money…Tupac. R.I.P.
Makes sense. In a distribution deal the manufacturer is not responsible for collecting royalties…a licensing deal includes collecting copyright. If the label is getting money from digital downloads than yes it should fall under a licensing deal. Fight for the artists Eminem!
Re: RacheePoo –
It's not about money, it's about the labels ripping off their artists. Their cash cows. Doesn't matter how rich they are or how poor, it should be fair. If you have any clue as to what goes into making an album or writing a song you would understand how important it is that you are compensated fairly.
Amazing how greedy he and other music artists are. They are already rich, but it's not enough for them.
boring?? this is probably the most interesting news you've posted in a year
I hope Em checks out 'Featured Artists Coalition' for bonus support. It's a good thing he's doing, win or lose.
who cares about eminem these days
Lol you are soooo DESPERATE to be in an Eminem's video or song… news for you idiotic Pig Eminen only rolls with the best so fuck you and your stinky ass!!!
Eminem rocks!!!
Love what he over came in his life. Shame on that slam…FEM!!!???
P. LOVE the website, but get over the whole hating eminem thAng…go hate britney again that was so much more fun atleast she lacks talent…Ems music kicks ass
it's not eminem that is suing, can't you even post a news story with the correct information? look at the court documents or checkout billboard.biz 'The Bass Brothers' FBT Productions and Joel Martin's Em2M filed the suit in 2007', not eminem.
hes wearing a wedding ring? is he married again?