James Delahunty
31 Jul 2007 11:56
Eight Mile Style LLC and Martin Affiliated LLC have sued Apple Inc. over the distribution of tracks by rapper Eminem through its iTunes music store. The issue is whether or not Apple is distributing tracks from the artist with or without his permission. Universal Studios distributes Eminem's albums, but Eight Mile Style LLC and Martin Affiliated LLC own the publishing rights and copyright so the tracks.
"Eight Mile and Martin have demanded that Apple cease and desist its reproduction and distribution and Apple has refused," the complaint reads according to The Detroit News. Experts say that there is currently a larger dispute within the industry itself about whether music publishers, who actually own the copyrights to music and not the labels, should have the final say on how it is used online.
This is not the first time that the controversial rapper and Apple have disputed. Back in 2004, an iPod/iTunes commercial used the track "Lose Yourself" despite the fact that Eminem had declined licensing it to the company. Apple went ahead and used the song anyway.
Source:
Betanews