Ex-Ramone Sues Apple and Wal-Mart
Richard Reinhardt, or, as he's more commonly known, Richie Ramone, is suing just about every company under the sun that offers digital music downloads, including Apple, Real Networks, and Wal-Mart. The former drummer of the seminal 1970s-1980s punk band The Ramones is even going after the estate of Johnny Ramone, the band's late lead guitarist.
What's Reinhardt's beef? According to reports, the suit claims that was no agreement for the digital distribution of the six songs Reinhardt wrote as a member of the Ramones. The songs in question are "Smash You," Human Kind," "I'm Not Jesus," "I Know Better Now," "Somebody Put Something In My Drink," and "(You) Can't Say Something Nice."
Over the four years and three albums, none of the six songs Reinhardt wrote were singles, and yet the guy is demanding $900,000 in back royalties and an injunction against future distribution of his work. Is he out of line? Given the rising stock of Apple and its ilk, we say good for Reinhardt!
From Beta News and AOL Music.
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