Billy Joel drummer files NY lawsuit over royalties

A former drummer for Billy Joel claims the Grammy Award-winning singer of hits including "Uptown Girl" and "Movin' Out" has stiffed him out of royalties for years.

Liberty DeVitto has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan's state Supreme Court demanding Joel pay him overdue royalties. The 58-year-old says he was Joel's drummer from 1975 to 2005 and helped the piano man craft some of his biggest albums. more...

Copyright Office Fees Set to Change on August 1

The Copyright Office has submitted to Congress a proposed new fee schedule that will go into effect on August 1 unless Congress rejects the schedule. The fee for registration of a basic claim to copyright filed electronically will remain $35. Filing on a Form CO, which is filled out online, printed with 2D barcodes that contain the information from the application, and mailed to the Office, will increase to $50. Filing on traditional paper forms without barcodes will be $65 to reflect the higher cost to the Office of processing these forms. more...

UMPG, Eminem Sign Worldwide Deal

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has signed Eminem to an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement beginning with the artist's sixth studio album, "Relapse," due May 19. Previoulsy, UMPG had an administration relationship with a portion of the Eminem song catalog. more...

Rapper Lil Wayne sues song's producer

Rapper Lil Wayne is suing the producer of a song he performed that allegedly sampled another singer's work without permission.

A lawsuit filed last year against Lil Wayne accuses him of copyright infringement, saying he failed to secure permission to sample folk singer Karma-Ann Swanepoel's song "Once" on his track "I Feel Like Dying."

A lawsuit filed last week by the rapper's lawyers says Rebel Rock Productions Inc., of Coconut Creek, Fla., produced "I Feel Like Dying" and was responsible for obtaining any necessary licensing agreements. more

Wilco ex-member sues Jeff Tweedy for royalties

A former member of Wilco is suing the band's lead singer, claiming he's owed royalties for songs during his seven years and five albums with the group.

Jay Bennett also claims in the breach-of-contract lawsuit filed Monday against singer Jeff Tweedy that he deserves money from the band's 2002 documentary, "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart." The film documents the making of Wilco's album "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." more