The Hives, who dumped Burning Heart Records for a multi-million pound contract with Universal, are denying claims by BHR that according to an existing contract their old label holds the rights to their next album. Burning Heart boss Peter Ahlqvist told NME: "Our lawyers are currently looking into the matter. Burning Heart have always been very proud to have been The Hives’ record company. Therefore, we are shocked to learn about the band signing a record deal with Universal, particularly since Burning Heart controls the exclusive worldwide rights to The Hives’ next studio album. The Hives’ have always been fully aware of their commitment to Burning Heart. In the circumstances, we have no choice but to vigorously protect our rights."
But the band’s guitarist Nicholaus Arson has posted a message on the band website saying "BHR did not have the rights to our third album," and denying that their old label were unaware the band was looking for a new contract, "We have for some time now had extremely serious issues with the BHR and as a consequence we recently decided not to continue working with them. BHR has all along been aware of the seriousness of these matters so that when we eventually left them is not a shock to anyone."