Limp Bizkit has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), claiming the music giant has failed to pay them a substantial amount in streaming royalties. Frontman Fred Durst, along with the band and Flawless Records, have taken legal action in the US District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that UMG has not compensated them for over half a billion streams despite the band’s resurgence in popularity.
The lawsuit seeks more than $200 million from UMG for breach of contract, fraudulent concealment, and copyright infringement. Durst is also aiming to terminate all contracts with UMG on behalf of Limp Bizkit and Flawless Records. The band consisting of Durst, Sam Rivers, John Otto, Wes Borland, and DJ Lethal claims that their assets have seen significant growth annually, reaching a peak of 68 percent in the past year without releasing new music.
UMG allegedly withheld royalties, citing the need to recoup around $45 million invested in the band over the years. However, Durst became suspicious when the former owner of Flip Records, Limp Bizkit’s previous label, revealed that millions of dollars had been received from UMG for the band’s assets. The lawsuit also highlights UMG’s failure to provide detailed accounting of recoupment costs, issue royalty statements during peak fame periods from 1997 to 2004, and pay any royalties until legal action was taken.
Since forming in 1994, Limp Bizkit, known for hits like “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)” and “Behind Blue Eyes,” has experienced a resurgence in popularity fuelled by social media and their 2021 Lollapalooza performance in support of their latest album, Still Sucks. The band’s legal battle with UMG sheds light on the complexities of royalty payments and contractual disputes within the music industry.