Cumulus, CBS, iHeartMedia Sued Again By ABS Entertainment Over Pre-1972 Music Royalties, Now In New York Fed Court

Sued Again

On the heels of filing suit against the major radio companies in a CALIFORNIA federal court (NET NEWS 8/18), ABS ENTERTAINMENT, INC., owners of recordings including the HI RECORDS catalog (AL GREEN, WILLIE MITCHELL, ANN PEEBLES, etc.), is suing CUMULUS MEDIA, iHEARTMEDIA, and CBS CORP. over pre-1972 music royalties in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of NEW YORK. 

Once again, the suits allege infringement of ownership rights, misappropriation of ownership and property rights, and conversion, with TODAY's filings citing NEW YORK law; the plaintiffs are seeking over $5 million compensatory damages on each of three counts and "restitution and disgorgement" of unlawful proceeds and revenues, including gross profits, plus punitive and exemplary damages and an injunction against using pre-1972 music.

The suits were filed by LOS ANGELES law firm MCKOOL SMITH HENNIGAN, PC and CHICAGO-based MILLER LAW LLC.

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