Limp Bizkit Sues Universal Music For $200 Million Over Missing Royalties

Photo: Fred Durst (Instagram)

Limp Bizkit is taking Universal Music Group (UMG) to court, claiming the label owes them over $200 million in unpaid royalties. Lead singer Fred Durst stated that he has "not seen a dime in royalties" during his time with the band. The lawsuit, filed on October 8 in Los Angeles, accuses UMG of using "systemic" and "fraudulent" practices to hide royalties from artists.

Durst's lawyers argue that UMG’s actions are especially shocking because the company markets itself as supportive of artists. They claim that "possibly hundreds of other artists" may also be facing similar issues with unpaid royalties.

Despite Limp Bizkit's massive success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including millions of album sales and continued popularity on streaming platforms, the band alleges they have not received any royalties from UMG. According to the lawsuit, the band’s representatives discovered that Limp Bizkit had more than $1 million in royalties that UMG failed to disclose.

Photo: Fred Durst (Instagram)

The lawsuit highlights UMG’s lack of communication regarding royalty statements, especially from 1997 to 2004, a time when the band was at the peak of its fame. Durst’s lawyers argue that UMG’s claims that the band’s accounts are still unrecouped are suspicious, given their significant album sales.

The lawsuit also mentions potential "fraudulent accounting practices" by UMG, which allegedly manipulated the band's accounts to avoid paying royalties. While UMG claimed Limp Bizkit received $43 million in advances over the years, the band argues they are still owed tens of millions more.

In addition to unpaid royalties, Limp Bizkit is seeking to void their contract with UMG and regain ownership of their music copyrights. The total amount they claim they are owed could exceed $200 million. UMG has not yet commented on the lawsuit.

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Source: Billboard