MUSIC RIGHTS – INSIDE & OUT
A beginner’s guide to music copyright – everything you need to know about copyright law, licensing, monetising copyright, the fight against piracy and the future of the music rights industry. Wed 27 Jul

MUSIC BUSINESS MODELS – MAKING MONEY, FINDING INVESTMENT
How to make money out of music – both now and in the future, with a look at alternative investment and revenue streams, and a new approach to monetising artists and their music. Wed 7 Sep

For more information or to book visit www.theCMUwebsite.com/training

NICK GATFIELD APPOINTED SONY UK CHIEF
Sony Music has just announced that Nick Gatfield will become Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK, taking over from Ged Doherty.

The appointment was confirmed this morning by Sony's recently appointed overall CEO Doug Morris, who Gatfield previously worked under when he was President of Universal's Island Records and Morris was overall boss man at Universal Music. Gatfield had a stint as top A&R man at Terra Firma's EMI before joining Sony earlier this year to oversee the major's UK label operations.

Confirming Gatfield's new role, Morris said: "Nick is an accomplished music executive with a successful A&R background, strong senior management experience, and a special understanding of the artist community being a former recording artist himself. We are delighted to have him leading the UK company as we move forward".

Gatfield himself stated: "I am delighted to be given this opportunity to lead the UK company under Doug Morris. I look forward to working with the team to build Sony Music UK & Ireland into the leading music entertainment company in the market".

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FULLER SUES FOX AND FREMANTLE OVER X-FACTOR USA
'X-Factor USA' isn't even on TV yet, and already it's being sued, which is quite an achievement.

'American Idol' supremo Simon Fuller is suing Fremantle Media and Fox, respectively the producer and broadcaster of the new 'X' franchise, over their failure to credit him as the new show's Executive Producer, and their failure to pay him a fee for fulfilling that role.

In their defence, Fremantle and Fox have pointed out that Fuller isn't the show's Executive Producer, and isn't involved in the new programme in any way, and therefore they don't see why they should credit him or pay him any money. Which seems pretty reasonable. But, says Fuller, his lack of any actual executive producing is simply not relevant.

This all stems from the previous legal battle between Fuller and 'X' boss Simon Cowell, the former arguing that the latter stole his 'Idol' format, added some boot camp nonsense, and called it 'X-Factor', in doing so causing the premature demise of the UK version of 'Pop Idol', ironically the show that had made BMG A&R man Cowell a TV star in the first place.

That dispute was settled in 2005 in an out of court settlement. A key part of that deal was an arrangement to ensure 'X-Factor' wouldn't launch in the US for five years, ensuring that Fuller's lucrative 'American Idol' show could continue, with Cowell as a judge, without a major new copy-cat competitor. The deal also, according to Fuller, included a promise that if and when 'X' did eventually come to the USA he'd get a production credit and fee, despite not being actively involved in the show.

Fuller's new lawsuit adds that Fox, which will broadcast both 'American Idol' and 'X-Factor USA', was actively involved in the 2005 settlement. But, he claims, now both Fox and Fremantle, which will also work on both 'Idol' and 'X', are refusing to give him his credit or pay his fee. A spokesman for pop impresario Fuller told reporters: "Mr Fuller has prudently attempted to settle this matter privately but the other parties have refused to honour the original contract leaving him no other choice but to pursue legal action".

Fox and Fremantle are currently sticking with their 'but he's not involved in the show' line, saying in a statement: "[Fuller has] not been hired, nor performed any duties, on the US version of the 'X-Factor'. His suit seeks payment and credit as an executive producer despite his neither having been approved by the required parties, nor hired, as such. The lawsuit was without merit and we expect to prevail".

Significantly, Fuller's lawsuit does not target Cowell or his Syco company directly, despite that meaning the former 19 Management chief is now suing the broadcaster and producer of his own 'Idol' show, though, of course, Fuller's direct involvement in the 'Idol' franchise is much less these days since he stopped working for his old company 19, now part of CKX Inc, and set up his new business XIX Entertainment.

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MURRAY LAWYERS WANT JURY SEQUESTERED
Lawyers for Dr Conrad Murray, the medic accused of killing Michael Jackson through negligence, want the jury in his upcoming manslaughter trial to be locked in a small, dark room for the duration of the court case. Well, sort of.

Murray's defence team have suggested to Judge Michael Pastor that the jury in this case should be sequestered, so kept away from the outside world between court sessions, to ensure the doctor gets a fair trial. They fear that media coverage will be biased against their client, and specifically mention that they don't want jurors to see the nightly news show on CNN spin off HLN hosted by legal commentator and former prosecutor Nancy Grace.

Judge Pastor said he wasn't inclined to support the defence team's proposal, partly because of the strain it puts on jurors, and partly because of the costs involved, because the court would have to house the sequestered jurors in hotels. However, he has said that Team Murray can submit a formal proposal and he will give it consideration.

Elsewhere, Pastor also has to consider how much backstage footage from the rehearsals of Jackson's doomed 'This Is It' live show should be shown in court. As previously reported, both the prosecution and defence have been watching hours of video recorded by AEG Live, and now in the hands of Sony Pictures, who used some of the footage to make the 'This Is It' movie.

Although it was the defence team who were most keen to have access to the footage, which they hoped would show Jackson was in poor health prior to his death, it's now the prosecution that want to show a significant amount of the footage to jurors. According to reports, the prosecution reckon there's about twelve hours of relevant content, while the defence say only four hours should be shown. Pastor is due to visit Sony's studios himself to view some of the footage before making a decision.

The main Murray trial is due to kick off in September.

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LEWIS AND AVICII CLASH ON TWITTER OVER ALLEGED SONG THEFT
The squabble over Leona Lewis's new track 'Collide', and its rather significant lifting of the music from a track by DJ producer Avicii, continues. And while the latter's label, Ministry Of Sound, consults its lawyers, the two artists have been having it out in the High Court Of Twitter.

Following reports that Lewis's team had lifted Avicii's music without permission, the one time 'X-Factor' girl tweeted: "With regards to my song, Avicii was aware and [agreed] publishing splits for himself and his manager. When Avicii sent his track out to have a song written over it I totally fell in love with this version and I think he's super talented".

That actually goes further than the statement previously released by Lewis's label Syco, which simply insisted Avicii had been credited as a co-songwriter on the popstress's new record. It also conflicts with a statement already issued by Avivii and his management who say they knew nothing of Syco's plans to use their instrumental on the new Lewis record until they heard it on the radio.

So, despite the flattery, Avicii also took to Twitter this week to respond to Lewis's claims. He wrote: "Thanks for accusing me of lying and speaking on my behalf. Since we never met or even spoke, please let me and my manager know who told you that and what confirmation they gave you".

Lewis is yet to respond to Avicii's tweet. Perhaps she's planning on letting the lawyers settle this matter in a more traditional fashion. Though a public row on Twitter would be more fun.

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DMX RELEASED FROM PRISON
DMX is back on the streets. The rapper was released from prison in Arizona, where he has spent seven months incarcerated for parole violation, on Tuesday. As previously reported, his release was delayed by two weeks after he failed a drugs test.

The rapper's manager, Nakai Walker, told Reuters: "His first words to me were: 'I'm home'. I can tell you one thing, he's not going to be going back there [to prison] again".

Walker said the first phonecall DMX made was to his estranged wife to arrange to see their two month old daughter. He is also apparently planning to get to work straight away on a new album.

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R KELLY HOSPITALISED
R Kelly was rushed to hospital earlier this week for emergency surgery following the discovery of an abscess on one of the singer's tonsils after he complained of a sore throat.

A spokesman confirmed that the R&B star was receiving treatment at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital, adding that it wasn't yet clear how long that treatment would take or how soon it would be before the singer could perform again.

Kelly himself, though, managed some optimism via Twitter, telling fans: "I'd like to thank everybody for their love, concern and support. I will be back!"

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KATY PERRY LEADS THE WAY AT VMAS
So, the noms for this year's MTV VMAs are out, people. And look, they're not totally dominated by Gaga and Bieber; who'd have thought? The former appears three times on the shortlists, but the latter only once. Though presumably he'll sweep the boards at this year's MTV Perfume Awards. Katy Perry actually leads the way this time round with no less than nine nominations, while Adele follows closely behind being up for seven prizes. Kanye West is also shortlisted seven times over.

And look, here's the full list of noms, for free:

Video Of The Year: Adele - Rolling In The Deep, Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise, Bruno Mars - Grenade, Katy Perry - Firework, Tyler, The Creator - Yonkers

Best Pop Video: Adele - Rolling In The Deep, Britney Spears - Till The World Ends, Bruno Mars - Grenade, Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (TGIF), Pitbull - Give Me Everything

Best Rock Video: Cage The Elephant - Shake Me Down, Foo Fighters - Walk, Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks, Mumford & Sons - The Cave, The Black Keys - Howlin For You

Best Hip Hop Video: Chris Brown - Look at Me Now, Kanye West - All Of The Lights, Lil Wayne - 6 Foot, 7 Foot, Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On, Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

Best Male Video: Bruno Mars - Grenade, Cee Lo Green - Fuck You, Eminem & Rihanna - Love The Way You Lie, Justin Bieber - U Smile, Kanye West - All Of The Lights

Best Female Video: Adele - Rolling In The Deep, Beyoncé - Run The World (Girls), Katy Perry - Firework, Lady GaGa - Born This Way, Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

Best New Artist: Big Sean - My Last, Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks, Kreayshawn - Gucci Gucci, Tyler, The Creator - Yonkers, Wiz Khalifa - Black And Yellow

Best Collaboration: Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes - Look At Me Now, Kanye West featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi - All Of The Lights, Katy Perry featuring Kanye West - ET
Nicki Minaj featuring Drake - Moment 4 Life, Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Nayer and Afrojack - Give Me Everything

Best Art Direction: Adele - Rolling In The Deep, Death Cab For Cutie - You Are A Tourist, Kanye West featuring Dwele - Power, Katy Perry - ET, Lady GaGa - Judas

Best Choreography: Beyoncé - Run The World (Girls), Britney Spears - Till The World Ends, Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song, Lady GaGa - Judas, LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem

Best Cinematography: 30 Seconds To Mars - Hurricane, Adele - Rolling In The Deep, Beyoncé - Run The World (Girls), Eminem & Rihanna - Love The Way You Lie, Katy Perry - Teenage Dream

Best Direction: 30 Seconds To Mars - Hurricane, Adele - Rolling In The Deep, Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise, Eminem & Rihanna - Love The Way You Lie, Katy Perry - ET

Best Editing: 30 Seconds To Mars - Hurricane, Adele - Rolling In The Deep, Kanye West - All Of The Lights, Katy Perry - ET, Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math

Best Special Effects: Chromeo - Don't Turn The Lights On, Kanye West - Power, Katy Perry - ET, Linkin Park - Waiting For The End, Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math

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TAKE THAT BREAK RECORD FOR HIGHEST GROSSING RESIDENCY
Take That's eight night run at Wembley Stadium, which finished earlier this month, has been declared the highest grossing concert series of all time by Billboard Boxscore. The band brought in £38 million during the residency, playing to a reported 623,737 gullible fools, I mean appreciative fans (which is also a new record).

The biggest concert residency record was previously held by Bruce Springsteen, who earned £24 million over ten nights at the Giants Stadium in New Jersey in 2003. But poor old Springsteen isn't even in second place now, as Take That have also taken the number two spot with their eight show run at the City Of Manchester Stadium.

In total, the band's current tour has grossed £114 million, which just goes to show what a shrewd move it was to get Robbie Williams back on board.

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THE STROKES START WORK ON NEXT ALBUM
The Strokes have started working on tracks for their next album, which means it should be released at some point in the next decade.

Bassist Nikolai Fraiture told the NME: "Every time we have a couple of weeks off, we like to go back into the studio to see how things progress and not leave them [too long]. I don't think it's 'urgent' in the way that we feel pushed. It's 'urgent' in the way we want to work on music and keep the up momentum that we've managed to build up to now".

The band's latest album, 'Angles', was released earlier this year, but after a lengthy recording process turned out a bit rubbish.

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NOEL GALLAGHER ANNOUNCES FIRST HIGH FLYING BIRDS SINGLE
Noel Gallagher has announced that he will release the first single by one of his two new solo projects, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, 'The Death Of You And Me', on 21 Aug via his own Sour Mash label. The eponymous debut album with follow on 17 Oct.

Explaining the make up of the project, Gallagher said: "My manager asked me who the High Flying Birds are. They aren't anyone in particular. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds is me and whoever is around at the time of whatever it is that I'm doing, a loose collective kinda thing".

And if you were hoping to hear the single, well tough. Asked if he'd be making the track (or any tracks) available for free by the NME, Gallagher said: "No, no. No free downloads. I value my music. I don't sit in a studio, and fucking make it up as I go along, and go: 'This one's free, then'. I think if you buy it, you as a listener value it more. I'm just not into free downloads, and that's an end of it. I know a lot of bands do it. Some of my favourite bands do it, like Kasabian for example, but it's not something I would even consider. I never considered it in Oasis, and I'd never consider it now".

He has been so good as to put out a music-less trailer for the single's video though, which you can see here: youtu.be/jUufeGKRibk

But enough of this, what we really want to know is what Noel has to say about his brother Liam's recent (ish) accusations that he had held back Oasis songs to use as solo material. He responded by saying that Liam is a "born liar". So, that's fun. Liam recently also called his brother a liar recently. One of them must be lying. Or maybe both of them. But if they're both lying, then that means neither of them is a liar.

Anyway, sorry, got off track. Still speaking to the NME, Noel said of two Oasis era songs he has used: "Well, Liam talks a lot, doesn't he? Unfortunately for Liam, he's a born liar. Those songs have been recorded on two separate occasions, for two different albums, and vocals were never completed. I've re-recorded them in a different key, to suit my voice. They're the two most Oasis sounding songs on the album. But whatever he says is bullshit".

He added that songs on Beady Eye's debut album, 'Different Gear, Still Speeding', had also been worked on by Oasis prior to their split: "I remember playing drums on a version of 'The Roller'. I've always liked that song. So there's a version of that with me on it somewhere in the vaults. 'The Morning Son' has been around for the best part of five years. I'd heard a few of those tunes before ... 'Millionaire' was gonna be on the last record, I always thought ['The Roller'] was gonna be a fucking mega, mega hit for Oasis but it never got past the demo stage".

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SOULWAX ANNOUNCE SOULWAXMAS 2011
Soulwax have announced details of their annual Christmas bash, Soulwaxmas, which will again take place at Brixton Academy on 16 Dec. Line-up details are yet to be made available, but tickets for the always popular night will go on sale this Friday (22 Jul).

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FESTIVAL LINE-UP UPDATE

COMPRESSEDFEST, The Miller, London Bridge, London, 23 Jul: Squeezing a full programme of live events and performances into a single tiny day's worth of fun, this charitable bash will welcome the likes of Douga, Stewart Warwick, Sarah Grace, Skyscratcher, Eschar, Different Cloth and Andrew Cunningham. Also provided is a comedy line-up that includes stand ups Jim Campbell, Joe Rowntree and Chris Martin, all proceeds from the festivities will go children's charity Kids Company. compressedfest.eventbrite.com

ICELAND AIRWAVES, Various Venues, Reykjavík, 12-16 Oct: Yoko Ono's Plastic Ono Band lead the latest bookings for this year's Iceland Airwaves roster, with synth siren Glasser, Owen Pallett, Oklahoma indie troupe Other Lives and Bristolian tropical thrash act Zun Zun Egui also fresh on the bill. The existing line-up stars Beach House, Tune-yards, Austra, The Vaccines, Suuns, Ólafur Arnolds, SBTRKT and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. www.icelandairwaves.is

SUPERSONIC, Custard Factory, Birmingham, 21-23 Oct: Amidst the strange and wonderfully-named array of new additions to this year's niche Supersonic bill are electronic experimental act Alva Noto & Byetone, free-form instrumentalist Cut Hands, doom chamber-pop purveyor Alexander Tucker and psych-rock seventies revivalists Teeth Of The Sea. Well, there you have it. Silver Apples, Electric Wizard, Wolves In The Throne Room and Secret Chiefs 3 are amongst those previously announced. www.supersonicfestival.com

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ACCESS INDUSTRIES COMPLETES TAKEOVER OF WARNER MUSIC
Access Industries has completed its acquisition of Warner Music, it was confirmed yesterday, after shareholders backed the board-approved takeover earlier this month. The music major, the only one to currently trade directly on a share market, will now disappear from the New York Stock Exchange.

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BUG MUSIC BACK UP FOR SALE
Independent music publisher Bug Music is up for sale, which might give you a sense of déjà vu, because we reported exactly that just over a year ago. But in the end current owner Spectrum Equity Investors decided not to sell that time, seemingly because - despite there being some interest - no one came to the table with the $270 million plus offer the equity firm was looking for.

Although Bug has expanded a little in the subsequent year, some wonder if Spectrum can really expect bids at that level this time round either, not least because the obvious bidders are all currently preoccupied with the EMI sale. Indeed, an obvious contender, BMG, has indicated it'll make a bid for EMI's big publishing catalogue before resuming its previous strategy of buying up sizable independents.

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EMMS LAUNCHES MANAGEMENT BUSINESS
London-based music publicity firm EMMS is launching a new management division to be called EMMS Artist Management, obviously. The company will launch with first signing Francis Neve, who EMMS has been working with in a PR capacity for just over a year.

Founder Stephen Emms told CMU: "It's something I've toyed with for many a long moon. But only now have we found the right artist. Francis' profile is building daily, with fans across almost every credible music platform, from 6music to NME. And his new material, to be released this autumn, is even stronger. Most excitingly, we have a big name collaboration to be announced in a couple of weeks".

You can find out about the new company at www.emmsmanagement.com

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NINJA STANDS BY ALBUM LEAK CLAIMS AGAINST BACKSPIN
Ninja Tune has issued a new statement regarding its allegations that two of their upcoming albums were leaked onto the internet by German magazine Backspin.

As previously reported, earlier this week the indie took the rare step of naming and shaming the magazine, and one of its writers Benjamin Jager, after new long players from Toddla T and Thundercat appeared online sometime before official release. The label says that the MP3s circulating online from the two albums came from watermarked CDs sent to Backspin.

But Jager and the magazine have denied any wrongdoing, arguing that they understand how watermarked CDs work, so wouldn't be so foolish as to rip songs from such a promo disk and plonk them on the net, even if they were prone to usually do such a thing which, they add, they are not. The magazine also alleged that the albums in question were on the web illegally before they even received the promo CDs.

But Ninja has issued a statement defending its original allegation, and rebuking Backspin's response. The label told CMU: "Further to the statement we issued earlier this week regarding the leaking of two Ninja Tune albums, Backspin Magazine have made a statement which we feel we have to respond to".

"The first audio leak of the Toddla T album occurred on the 5 Jul, the second album leaked on 14 Jul, both CDs having been mailed to Backspin by our German publicist on 1st July. The audio leaked was without doubt that contained on the CD mailed to Benjamin Jager, and that disc was undoubtedly in the Backspin offices prior to the leak. The magazine confirmed receipt of the CDs several days ago".

"Backspin told us that whilst Jager was away on 4 and 5 Jul, the editor-in-chief of the magazine opened the two sealed, watermarked CDs, placed the paper PR sheets accompanying them inside the cardboard sleeves and left them on the magazine's 'to listen' pile. As a result, our initial statement avoided blaming Jager personally for the leaks, but as the magazine has made no further effort to explain how the leak might have happened and who was responsible for it, we have no choice but to hold them collectively responsible".

"Backspin also claim that there was a prior leak of both albums but the link they refer to is a fake, and leads only to a series of online data collection adverts and surveys".

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DDEX SIMPLIFIES THINGS SO SMALLER BUSINESSES CAN COMPLY
The Digital Data Exchange, the previously reported consortium of digital firms and content owners which aims to encourage the adoption of "digital supply chain data standards" has announced it is offering more flexibility, an open source library of software solutions, and better documentation in order to make it easier for small and middle sized companies to join the data harmonisation party.

Confirming all this, DDEX Chairman Kirit Joshi told CMU: "The core purpose of DDEX is to produce standards that can be implemented by anyone, regardless of the size of their business.
The measures we are announcing today will lighten the load of implementation for smaller businesses that want to save costs by improving their levels of automation with DDEX, but are concerned about a complex implementation process".

He added: "DDEX standards will continue to be made freely available for use by anyone in the digital supply chain and we believe the new open source format and the new emphasis on individual business requirements will reinforce DDEX as the de facto standard across the spectrum of digital reporting".

Sony, Warner and EMI, plus collecting societies like PRS, PPL and America's Harry Fox Agency, distributors like The Orchard and tech firms like Nokia are among those signed up to DDEX standards.

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RADIO 1 CONTROLLER TO STAND DOWN
Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt is to leave the station and the BBC, after thirteen years with the nation's favourite, and 30 years with the Beeb. He says its time to "pursue new opportunities". He's probably right.

It's big news in some ways. Not immediately for the day to day running of Radio 1 or spin off 1Xtra, as Ben Cooper will become Acting Controller at both stations, and as Parfitt's deputy he's been pretty much running the shop for some time now after his boss's remit grew to cover other areas of the Beeb's youth and pop output. Cooper will also be a favourite to take over from Parfitt permanently.

That said, one blockage to cost saving plans recently put forward by former commercial radio man John Myers when he reviewed the BBC's music radio operations, that management at the Beeb's national music stations be more closely integrated, was that Parfitt had become a powerful player at the Corporation, as had Radio 2 boss Bob Shennan, and who would run things if the leadership of Radios 1 and 2 were merged?

Although overall BBC Radio chief Tim Davie said the management integration proposal wasn't a goer when Myers' report was published, Parfitt's departure might make such a plan more viable.

And of course, some, albeit outside the Beeb, have wondered for sometime whether Radio 1 needs another 'Bannister moment', a new controller who, like Matthew Bannister in the mid-90s, can clear out the old-timers at the youth station and instigate a radically new on-air sound. Parfitt was certainly a safe pair of hands running Radio 1 - and good ratings have been achieved as a result - but some wonder whether he was far too safe. Of course, it seems unlikely that Cooper would be a new Bannister, but if an outsider was brought in to replace Parfitt it could happen.

So, exciting times to come, perhaps. But for now, a quote from Parfitt: "I am immensely proud to have held this position and I leave with all three stations [he oversaw the Asian Network too] in great shape with their listening figures at record highs and following a great BBC wide Glastonbury event. I'm most proud of the incredible teams I'm leaving behind - a group of talented, hardworking, creative and inspirational people who are a credit to the BBC".

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CHRIS BROWN FALLS OUT WITH NEIGHBOURS OVER PARKING ARRANGEMENTS
So, now Chris Brown is pissing off the disabled of West Hollywood. Well, he is pissing off his neighbours, who claim the popular R&B man and one time wife beater is parking his oversized cars in parking spots reserved for disabled drivers. According to TMZ, his vehicles have been ticketed several times and managers of the complex where Brown has an apartment are threatening to tow his cars if he continues to park them in reserved spots.

However, Brown's lawyer Mark Geragos denies his client is at fault, arguing that actually it's the pop boy who has been wronged. The legal man says Brown's deeds say he gets two specific parking spaces with his property, but that building managers have made those spaces disabled spots. This breaches Brown's contract and, Geragos says, he is currently pursuing litigation to have the status of his parking spaces changed. He is also fighting the parking tickets, he adds.

But building managers and neighbours still aren't impressed, accusing Brown of frequently parking in disabled parking spaces other than those subject to the legal dispute, as well as "blasting loud music and partying day and night ... and even racing dogs down the hallways at all hours". But those neighbours should really look at the bright side. I mean, he's not beaten any of them unconscious and left them on the street. Which has to be a plus.

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