VH1’s Master of the Mix producer sued by Universal Music

Universal Music has filed a complaint against Je T’Aime Media Group, the producer of VH1’s Master of The Mix.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal cites the producer’s failure to properly license sound recordings and musical compositions for the show’s third season as the reason for the lawsuit. Masters of the Mix is said to have used at least 93 of Universal’s compositions and 115 of its sound recordings including works by Gwen Stefani and Nirvana.

The reality television program has DJs competing for $250,000 in prize money and the title of Smirnoff’s official DJ for a year. “Plaintiffs’ copyrighted works are fundamental to the production and success of the Show,” says the complaint.

As well as seeking up to $150,000 for each copyright infringed, Universal is making common law misappropriation and conversion claims over pre-1972 recordings by artists such as James Brown and The Temptations.

It has been stated that rights-holders have long given television broadcasters (as well as other music users) a pass on royalty collection on the older music. It seems that that is no longer the case and until the issue is settled, pre-1972 music is sure to stay a legal hot topic.