Cash Money Records Sued for Owing Money to EMI

Although Cash Money Records is a powerhouse label with plenty of cash to spend (just ask Birdman), they keep finding themselves in legal trouble for not paying monies to other people. Courthouse News Service reports that EMI has slapped Cash Money with a lawsuit claiming that the label owes them a whopping $491,000 in back royalty payments.

Apparently, in November 2009, EMI filed a copyright-infringement lawsuit against Cash Money over their unauthorized use of samples from EMI's catalog. The case ended with an agreement that Cash Money would reimburse royalty payments to EMI, but recently they haven't been keeping up.

“Because Defendant has ignored numerous communications from EMI regarding Defendant’s contractual obligations, EMI once more is being forced to commence a lawsuit against Defendant to recover royalty payments,” states the complaint. “The sales of Defendant’s products have far exceeded the payments that EMI has received. It is clear from Defendant’s conduct that it has no intention of honoring the Agreement.”

This new lawsuit adds to a laundry list of court cases against Cash Money Records and Lil Wayne's label Young Money Records. Among the litigants: Production company Done Deal Enterprises has filed a $15 million copyright-infringement against Wayne; producer Deezle has a $20 million lawsuit against Young Money; producer David Kirkwood is seeking $1.5 million in royalties owed and production team Drummer Boyz are suing Wayne claiming he stole their 'How to Love' beat.

Notice a pattern here? At this point, it's time for Cash Money Records to start giving up some, uh, cash money.

What do you think? Tell us in the comments below.