Battle Royal(ties) Heats Up Between Boy George, Virgin Records

LONDON--Boy George and the members of his band Culture Club are suing Virgin Records for damages in a row over album royalties.

In a writ issued at London's High Court, the group claims Virgin failed to account properly for royalties due on a compilation album called "Greatest Moments."

The writ says Boy George, whose real name is George O'Dowd, and band members Jon Moss, Michael Craig and Roy Hay, called in accountants Sloane & Co. in summer 2003 to audit Virgin's books and records. They contend that Virgin failed to account properly to them, in breach of contract and fiduciary duty.

According to the writ, Virgin also failed to account properly after including masters in soundtrack and compilation albums in the United States, paying a flat fee basis instead of royalties for each record sold.

INJUNCTION & DAMAGES SOUGHT

The artists are seeking orders forcing Virgin to disclose the correct royalty base price for U.S. soundtrack and compilation orders, and to disclose books and accounts.

They also seek an account of all royalties payable to them, and an order for payment of sums found due, as well as damages, and specific performance of agreements.

The four also accuse Virgin of breaching agreements by failing to account for money it received for broadcast and public performance licensing worldwide. And they say Virgin should have paid them 50% of the money it received from collecting society Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), instead of the 37.5% they received.

The foursome are seeking payment of sums due for the last six years. They also claim royalties due from all record sales campaigns worldwide and say they have been paid just half of their entitlement.