Backstreet Suit Claims Boys Were Bypassed In Favor Of Nick Carter

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Nov 26, 2002 Source: LAUNCH Submitted By: McPhee The Backstreet Boys are suing Zomba Recording Corporation, the parent company of the group's label, Jive Records, claiming a fourth studio album was bypassed in favor of the solo project by group member Nick Carter. Backstreet Boys Inc. (BBI) and Backstreet Productions, Inc., both of Delaware and conducting business in Los Angeles and New York, filed the lawsuit Monday (November 25) in U.S. District Court in New York. The lawsuit accuses Zomba of not fulfilling a contractual obligation when the group was ready to deliver a new album in April 2002, and also refusing to pay advances due with the delivery of the album. The group claims it attempted to consult with the company over a selection of songs and producers, but Zomba refused to participate and rejected "artistic decisions." In lieu of a fourth album from the group, the record company chose to develop, produce, and promote the solo recording of Backstreet member Carter, the lawsuit says. The group also asserts it has sold 65 million albums worldwide and has received too little of the revenue from product sales. The Backstreet Boys companies are asking for damages to proof at trial for at least $75 million, plus additional damages from breach of contract and wrongful conduct, as well as all court costs, attorney's fees, plus further relief as deemed proper by the court. A statement issued by the group said: "We are committed to the Backstreet Boys, and we will protect our group from anybody or anything that tries to break us apart. We are disappointed that our longtime label Jive Records has attempted to irresponsibly exploit our group. The five of us are writing for our new CD and setting concert dates for our upcoming worldwide summer tour." The lawsuit was filed in the name of all five Backstreet Boys: Kevin S. Richardson, Brian Thomas Littrell, Nick Carter, Howard Dorough, and Alexander J. "A.J." McLean, who state they met and formed the group in 1993. Representatives for Zomba Recording Corporation have 20 days from the date of filing to respond to the lawsuit. The company was sold Tuesday (November 26) to German media conglomerate Bertelsmann AG (BMG) for $2.74 billion. -- Darryl Morden, Los Angeles Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: Halz Submitted by: Edward Submitted by: Kelly Submitted by: Ann Elisabeth Submitted by: William Submitted by: Edward Submitted by: Michael Pollitt Submitted by: Kevin Shen Submitted by: Ann Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet Boys Sue Zomba Seeking $100 Million Prev Item: Baby Born to Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell and Wife Leighanne