Universal Music Group is trying to dismiss singer Fred Durst’s lawsuit pursuing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. The multinational corporation has responded to the suit, which seeks $200 million and alleges it has withheld royalties from artists. According to a report, UMG says it is “based on a fallacy”.
It also claimed in its motion to dismiss the suit, “Plaintiffs’ entire narrative that UMG tried to conceal royalties is a fiction.” Durst filed his suit against UMG last month, arguing that the company was using software which reduced the royalties it paid to artists. “[UMG has] designed and implemented royalty software and systems that were deliberately designed to conceal artists’ royalties and keep those profits for itself,” the suit read.
The singer added that he had “not seen a dime” in royalties from UMG and demanded that Limp Bizkit receive full ownership of their music. Durst also claimed the fraudulent financing affected not just his band, but potentially “hundreds” of other artists. UMG’s response says the allegations are all he said, she said bullshit.
It claims to have access to emails which “eviscerate” the fraud claims. A representative for Limp Bizkit has clapped back against that clap-back, saying, “We believe UMG is using a typical, formulaic, well-trodden strategy of reaching for any escape route by desperately grasping at technicalities.” As the legal battle rages on, Limp Bizkit are preparing for a stacked 20.