Rob Zombie Vs Universal Music Group

A Californian judge this week permitted a class action suit filed by Rob Zombie and the estate of Rick James to go through court.

The suits, filed by Lieff Cabraser Heiman & Bernstein (for Rob Zombie) and Phillips, Erlewine & Given (for Rick James’ estate) argue that UMG owe royalties to artists whose contracts were signed before the era of digital downloads.

If the cases are successful, Universal could be forced to pay half of digital fees to the artist, rather than passing down the current royalty fee – which stands between 10% and 20%.

However, a UMG spokesperson told Music Week today: “The court has simply stated that the motion, which addressed a small part of the case, is more appropriately decided at the summary judgment stage rather than at the motion to dismiss stage. We believe that once the court addresses the merits of this case, we will prevail.”

Source: Music Week