Limp Bizkit Seeks $200 Million in Royalties Lawsuit Against Universal Music, Alleges Decades of Underpayment
Limp Bizkit has filed a massive lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), seeking over $200 million in damages for alleged unpaid royalties, copyright infringement, and breach of contract.
Limp Bizkit performing live on stage
Key allegations in the 60-page complaint include:
- Massive royalties underpayments
- Misrepresentation of accounts as unrecouped
- Fraudulent accounting practices
- Failure to provide required bi-annual royalty statements
The lawsuit stems from multiple agreements:
- 1996 agreement between Limp Bizkit and Flip Records (later sold partial stake to UMG)
- 2000 Interscope agreement
- Joint venture deal between Fred Durst's Flawless Records and Interscope
Recent developments that triggered the lawsuit:
- April 2024: Durst hired new representation and discovered he hadn't received any money for Limp Bizkit exploitations
- Investigation revealed cumulative due royalties of almost $1.04 million
- Accounts allegedly showed recoupment since 2019 but were "fraudulently reclassified as 'unrecouped'"
- Missing royalty statements dating back to 1997
Financial disputes:
- UMG claims $43 million in advances paid to Limp Bizkit
- Plaintiffs argue the actual advance amount is closer to $13 million
- Late August: Band received first-ever royalty payment of $1.04 million
- Flawless Records received $2.35 million in profit sharing
The plaintiffs seek to terminate their contracts with UMG and receive damages estimated at over $200 million.
Fred Durst performing live on stage
The case number is 2:24-cv-08630, with a dismissal hearing expected in January.
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