Former Ramones Drummer Loses Digital Suit

One-time Ramones drummer Richard "Richie Ramone" Reinhardt lost a lawsuit Tuesday that he filed in federal court in September 2007 that named the Estate of Johnny Ramone, Ramones Productions Inc., Apple iTunes, Wal-Mart and Real Rhapsody, among others. Reinhardt had been seeking $900,000 he claims to be owed for the digital use of the six songs he wrote while a Ramone.

Reinhardt also reportedly sought all profits the defendants made from the songs, and a permanent injunction prohibiting the defendants from using the songs in the future. Reinhardt penned songs like 'Humankind' (from 'Too Tough to Die'), 'Smash You' (the flip-side of the 'Howling at the Moon (Sha-La-La)' single, 'Somebody Put Something in My Drink' (from 'Animal Boy'), '(You) Can't Say Anything Nice' (the B-side to the aforementioned), plus 'I'm Not Jesus' and 'I Know Better Now' -- both from 'Halfway to Sanity' -- during his 1983 to 1987 tenure with the iconic punk outfit.

U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin threw out the suit, stating Reinhardt's claim lacked merit. Scheindlin cited a contract signed by the band in 1984 that "clearly authorizes the digital uses employed by defendants," and stated "future technologies are covered by the agreement."

Richie Ramone joined 'Da Brudders for their 'Subterranean Jungle' tour in 1983 and stayed with the band through three studio albums and nearly 500 live shows.