Ricky Nelson Estate Sues Sony and It Could Mean More Money For Every Artist Ever Signed To A Label
The estate of 1950s teen idol Rick Nelson has filed a class action lawsuit against Sony Music Entertainment. The suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in New York on Tuesday, alleges that the label is improperly withholding a portion of Nelson’s royalties from international streaming revenue.
Also according to Variety, the complaint goes on to suggest that Sony charges itself intercompany fees of up to 68% on foreign streaming revenues, which not only violates the terms of Nelson’s contract but diminishes the overall profit available to artists.
Sources tell Hypebot that other major labels and some indies charge similar fees on foreign streaming royalties.
Nelson, who began his career as a child actor starring alongside his real-life parents on “The Adventure of Ozzy and Harriet,” eventually became a chart-topping pop singer recording such hits as “Poor Little Fool,” “Travelin’ Man,” “Hello Mary Lou” and “Teen Age Idol.”
He died in 1985 at the age of 45.
Sony Music declined to comment on the suit.
