Limp Bizkit lawsuit against Universal Music Group UMG hit snag as Judge tosses out some allegations

Limp Bizkit's high-profile $200 million lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) took a hit last Friday, January 17, as a federal judge struck down a key component of the case. The suit, led by frontman Fred Durst, alleged fraudulent accounting practices by UMG in royalty payouts related to Limp Bizkit's catalog and artists under Durst's Flawless Records imprint.
The band claimed they received minimal royalties from the 45 million albums sold/streamed under UMG, with the label citing $43 million in unrecouped advances as the reason. Despite securing over $3 million in back payments for Limp Bizkit and Flawless Records-associated acts, Durst sought $200 million in damages and the nullification of their record contracts, which would return master recording rights to the band.
UMG denied the allegations, calling them "based on a fallacy," and Judge Percy Anderson ultimately sided with UMG, rejecting the bid to void the recording contracts. The case continues to develop, but this ruling marks a significant setback for Limp Bizkit and Durst's legal battle.
Anderson ruled:
The Court therefore concludes that Plaintiffs have not plausibly alleged the type of 'substantial' or 'total failure' in the performance of the contracts that could support rescission of the parties' agreements.
Limp Bizkit's lawsuit against Universal Music Group remains ongoing despite the setback. The band's legal case, primarily focused on copyright infringement and seeking declaratory relief, is still active with twelve other claims—such as breach of contract and fraudulent concealment—yet to be addressed. Rolling Stone reports that the band has until February 3rd to amend their claims of copyright infringement, or the case will be dismissed and need to be refiled in a different court.
Commenting on the latest ruling, Frank Seddigh, who is representing the band in the lawsuit, shared:
The Court ruled on three of our claims against Universal and gave us the opportunity to amend our complaint further — in order to keep litigating in Federal Court. The facts speak for themselves. Universal will be held accountable for its actions and will not get away with its conduct at the expense of artists.
[via ThePRP]
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