I'm a bit confused by this, but will endeavour to get to the bottom of it in the next day or so. Eminem's music publishing company has launched a lawsuit against Apple Inc accusing them of violating his copyrights by allowing unauthorised downloads of his music.
Apple did secure the rights to sell the Eminem catalogue from Universal, who own the recordings, but Eight Mile Style say they never asked for the publishing rights. It's rare for publishers to kick off about music sales providing they are getting their statutory cut of the revenues, so it's not clear if the Slim Shady camp are kicking up a fuss because they are still bitter following the 2004 legal spat with Apple over their use of some 'Lose Yourself' lyrics in a TV ad. Though the lawsuit stresses that it has specifically told Apple that they do not have permission to sell Eminem's music, but that they have continued to do so regardless.
The company is reportedly seeking more than $75,000 compensation for the alleged copyright violation, unfair competition and a violation of the Michigan consumer protection act, and up to $150,000 in damages per infringement, which would take the monies owing into the millions.
Eight Mile Style attorney Norman Ankers told the Associated Press yesterday: "This is a significant issue in the music industry. This occurs with many artists and many record labels".