Limp Bizkit Sues UMG for Fraud and Breach of Contract, Citing Withheld Royalties After ‘Tremendous’ Streaming Come Back
Attorneys for Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit filed a new lawsuit against Universal Music Group in the Los Angeles County Superior Court of California on Monday, which claims that UMG has illegally withheld royalties from the repopularized nu metal band.
On March 17, Judge Percy Anderson ruled that Durst would have to refile a portion of his claims against UMG in state courts. The judge also denied UMG’s motion to dismiss the copyright infringement claims in his federal suit, which is now on track for a jury trial. Per the federal judge’s ruling, the state suit separately breaks out the royalty issues from the band’s October 2024 federal suit, which is otherwise largely about copyright infringement.
The state court filing, which TheWrap has obtained and reviewed, claims that UMG committed fraud, breached its fiduciary duty, breached both contracts and the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
“Currently, the band is selling out arenas and headlining major festivals,” despite not having released new music since 2021, the document states. Attorneys cite 68% growth for the band over the past year, going from 1.3 billion worldwide streams in 2023 to over 1.7 billion in 2024.
“Despite this tremendous ‘comeback,’ the band had still not been paid a single cent by UMG in any royalties until taking action against UMG, leading one
to ask how on earth that could possibly be true,” the suit states.
With the group experiencing an upward trend, Limp Bizkit believes that UMG has not upheld itself as a “pro artist” company as it relates to the lack of royalties it has paid over the years. The complaint also states that while UMG previously covered the finances for the band to work on new music and studio recording costs, it never paid the music group back their royalties after UMG recouped its money.
“Plaintiffs have discovered that, contrary to these claims, not only did UMG never have any intention of paying Plaintiffs, it designed and implemented royalty software and systems that were deliberately designed to conceal artist’s royalties and keep those profits for itself,” the document reads.
The band is also seeking a jury trial with the new suit. The copyright infringement allegations will continue to be part of the federal case against UMG.
Representatives for UMG did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
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