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hbgator

Thu 19 Oct, 2006


Yoko Ono Sues EMI, Subsidiary for $10M

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Yoko Ono sued music company EMI Group PLC and a subsidiary for <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>$10 million Wednesday,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> claiming she was cheated out of royalties due from the sale of music recordings by her late husband,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> John Lennon.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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The lawsuit,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> accuses EMI and Capitol Records Inc.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> of violating a half-dozen agreements by <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"willfully and knowingly underreporting royalties"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> by hiding the <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"true use and disposition of Lennon's recordings.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Ono's three-page filing,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> which included a summons and notice but no detailed complaint,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> also accuses EMI and Capitol of <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"intentionally and systematically rendering dishonest and grossly deficient accounting statements.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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A spokeswoman for EMI/Capitol,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Jeanne Meyer,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> would not discuss Ono's lawsuit specifically,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> but she said,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"Artists from time to time request audits of their royalty accounts.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Sometimes there are differences of opinion,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> which is understandable given the complex nature of recording contracts.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Meyer said the contracts are sometimes subject to interpretation <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"but 99 times out of 100 these things are resolved in an amicable way.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Ono's lawyer,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> John LiCalsi,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> refused to comment on the lawsuit,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> which asks for at least <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>$10 million plus interest.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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In August,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> state Supreme Court Justice Karla Moskowitz refused to dismiss a similar lawsuit brought by the Beatles and their music company,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Apple Corps Ltd.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> That lawsuit seeks ownership and control of the Beatles'<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> master recordings.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Meyer said her company is appealing the judge's ruling.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>