Source: Yahoo News
(11/26/02, 6 p.m. ET)
-- The Backstreet Boys are suing Zomba Recording
Corporation, the parent company of the group's label, Jive Records, claiming
a fourth studio album was bypassed in favor of the solo project by group
member Nick Carter.
Backstreet Boys (news - web sites) Inc. (BBI) and Backstreet Productions,
Inc., both of Delaware and conducting business in Los Angeles and New
York, filed the lawsuit Monday (November 25) in U.S. District Court in New
York.
The lawsuit accuses Zomba of not fulfilling a contractual obligation when the
group was ready to deliver a new album in April 2002, and also refusing to
pay advances due with the delivery of the album.
The group claims it attempted to consult with the company over a selection
of songs and producers, but Zomba refused to participate and rejected
"artistic decisions." In lieu of a fourth album from the group, the record
company chose to develop, produce, and promote the solo recording of
Backstreet member Carter, the lawsuit says.
The group also asserts it has sold 65 million albums worldwide and has
received too little of the revenue from product sales.
The Backstreet Boys companies are asking for damages to proof at trial for
at least $75 million, plus additional damages from breach of contract and
wrongful conduct, as well as all court costs, attorney's fees, plus further
relief as deemed proper by the court.
A statement issued by the group said: "We are committed to the
Backstreet Boys, and we will protect our group from anybody or anything
that tries to break us apart. We are disappointed that our longtime label Jive
Records has attempted to irresponsibly exploit our group. The five of us are
writing for our new CD and setting concert dates for our upcoming worldwide
summer tour."
The lawsuit was filed in the name of all five Backstreet Boys: Kevin S.
Richardson, Brian Thomas Littrell, Nick Carter (news), Howard
Dorough, and Alexander J. "A.J." McLean, who state they met and
formed the group in 1993.
Representatives for Zomba Recording Corporation have 20 days from the
date of filing to respond to the lawsuit. The company was sold Tuesday
(November 26) to German media conglomerate Bertelsmann AG (news -
web sites) (BMG) for $2.74 billion.
-- Darryl Morden, Los Angeles
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