JAMES BLUNT - PRODUCER SUES OVER ROYALTIES FROM JAMES BLUNT ALBUM

PRODUCER SUES OVER ROYALTIES FROM JAMES BLUNT ALBUM

A US singer-songwriter is suing Warner Music over claims the company owes her millions of dollars in royalties from James Blunt's debut album.

Linda Perry discovered Blunt in 2003, signed him to her label, Custard, and gave his album Back to Bedlam to Warner subsidiary Atlantic.

The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, seeks lost royalties and £2.5 million in damages.

"Atlantic's wrongdoing follows the far too familiar scenario involving a large multinational corporate record company which takes advantage of a small, independent production company after the production company presents the major label with a promising new artist," the suit states.

James Blunt's debut sold more than 11 million copies worldwide, spawned the international hit You're Beautiful and grossed more than £50 million in sales.

A spokesman for Warner Music told the Reuters news agency: "Custard has always been and will continue to be compensated in accordance with the terms of its contractual arrangement with Atlantic."

Perry, a former 4 Non Blondes singer, has been responsible for a number of hits for singers including Christina Aguilera and Pink.