Muse - Muse Hit With Copyright Lawsuit

Charles Bolfrass launched a legal battle against the group and executives at record label Warner Music over claims three tracks on the band's 2009 album The Resistance, Exogenesis I, II, and Iii, were ripped from his rock opera of the same name.

Bolfrass claims he contacted the group in 2005 and introduced the idea of a concept album about space travel, but the trio rejected his plans months later.

He filed papers in a New York federal court last week (begs03Sep12) and is seeking $3.5 million (Gbp2.2 million) in damages for copyright infringement, unfair trading practices and unfair competition, according to Courthouse News.

He also claims the cover art for the album features an image the band lifted from the storyboards of his rock opera.