American Idol 2014 Season, Auditions: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Other Winners Sue for Royalties
Season 13 of American Idol is just starting to groom its next star, but some of its old stars are not happy. On Thursday, while the show moves past 2014 auditions, a lawsuit was filed against Sony Music for allegedly keeping royalties from previous American Idol winners and contestants.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Recordings, which represents a range of Idol stars including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry, is suing Sony Music in New York federal court. The lawsuit claims that Sony Music has unlawfully withheld millions of dollars' worth of royalties. 19 Recordings filed the $10 million lawsuit after auditing Sony Music's books pursuant to record agreements and failing to reach a settlement with the company.
"We did not want to have to file this lawsuit, but Sony left us no choice, so this became necessary to protect our artists," Jason Morey, 19 Entertainment worldwide head of music, told THR. "Our complaint lays out the claims in great detail. Everything we have to say about the case is set forth in it."
Kellie Pickler, Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta and David Cook are also listed in the complaint.
"We have investigated this thoroughly and feel strongly about the claims," Richard Busch, King & Ballow attorney, said.
The lawsuit also claims that Sony Music has not given artists enough streaming royalties when their songs are played off of services like Spotify, Apple and Google. Sony Music has reportedly pocketed some money by labeling the music as "sales" or "distributions" instead of "broadcasts" or "transmissions."
19 Recordings also accuses Sony Music of stiffing artists on royalties for advertisements and compilation albums. According to Sony, however, it has overpaid 19 Recordings in the past.
"Sony's interpretation would lead to the absurd result of potentially allowing it the ability to conduct an unlimited number of TV and/or radio advertising campaigns in a given country for a particular Album without ever seeking 19's prior approval so long as each individual campaign, however limited, was within the specified required range," the lawsuit says. "...Sony attempts to state compilation albums are not albums."
The lawsuit seeks $7 million in compensatory damages, $3 million in interests and audits and attorney fees, The Tennessean reports.