With the Zomba takeover BMG buy their way into the latest pop court room battle – as reported yesterday the Backstreet Boys are suing Zomba, claiming the label used delaying tactics to ensure the band didn’t get their contracted two albums out in time, and as such ensuring they missed out on a promised $5 million bonus.
The boy band’s attorney Carla Christofferson has been talking about the case to Australian music website Undercover. She likened the conduct of Zomba to "sort of holding everyone hostage".
Commenting on the awkward position of band member Nick Carter, who’s solo album is listed as one of Zomba’s delaying tactics, Christofferson said: "I think in some sense he didn't realise how this would affect the band because he was being pulled off by Zomba and Zomba was withholding other creative influences for The Backstreet Boys. So there wasn't any band activity that he could participate in because as we state in the complaint Zomba wouldn't approve the producers, wouldn't approve the choices and was sort of holding everyone hostage".
When asked how the legal action would affect the future of the band she said: "They have not yet started recording their fourth album which is one of the problems because they couldn't get the necessary co-operation from Zomba. Now that they are back working together as a band they plan to start as soon as possible if Zomba doesn't continue to withhold approval rights. They are hoping to start almost immediately". However she admitted the legal action may further delay a release.