Eminem's Publisher Sues Apple for Unauthorized Music Sales

Detroit News reports that Eminem's music publisher has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Apple for unauthorized music sales through the iTunes Store.

According to the article, the main issue appears to be a contractual one, questioning the right of record labels to also sell recording artist's music digitally as well as on CD.

A "burning issue" in the music industry today is whether the rights record labels hold to sell a recording artist's CDs include the rights to authorize music downloads, or whether further permission is needed from the music publishers who hold the copyrights to the lyrics and sheet music.

Apple sells individual songs for 99 cents and gives 70 cents back to the recording label (in this case, Universal). Out of that $.70, Universal pays about 9.1 cents to the music publisher. Eminem's music publisher states that they have never authorized Universal to allow the downloads and have demanded that Apple cease and desist online distribution of their music. Apple has reportedly refused.