Peter Frampton Sues A&M Records Over Digital Royalties

Peter Frampton has sued his label A&M Records for cheaping him out of some digital dough. The 'Baby, I Love Your Way' singer recently filed a claim against his long-time label for a "breach of contract and unfair competition." Frampton contends that profits earned from digital sales have not been distributed to the British rocker's estate fairly. His main complaint, however, is that he should be awarded a higher percentage for online sales over physical sales.

Rolling Stone reports that Frampton has since hired big-time music attorney Richard Busch, who helped obtain past royalties for rapper Eminem. The Detroit MC's case against his label is "virtually identical" to Frampton's, and is considered a model for today's digital industry.

Classic rock pioneers are continuously finding themselves in legal grey areas with their labels as the music business ventures further into the future. Bruce Gary of the Knack's estate is suing his major label while the Village People's Victor Willis has teamed with the Songwriters Guild of America to regain control of their intellectual property.

Universal, the parent company of A&M records, claims that Eminem's case does not put artists in better legal footing as it does not set an industry precedent. Frampton is going forward with his lawsuit.

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