Former RAMONES Drummer Sues Over Song Downloads

September 21, 2007

The Associated Press reports that former RAMONES drummer Richard "Richie Ramone" Reinhardt filed a federal lawsuit Friday claiming he is owed nearly $1 million in royalties on songs sold over the Internet.

Reinhardt, who performed with the RAMONES between 1983 and 1987, sued Wal-Mart, Apple, RealNetworks, the band's management and the estate of its lead guitarist, claiming he had never fully signed over the rights to the six songs he wrote for the group.

Specifically, Reinhardt said there was never any written deal authorizing the sale of those songs digitally. He said he is owed at least $900,000 in royalties, and asked the court to issue an injunction preventing further use of his compositions without permission.

Along with the digital music stores, the lawsuit names a pair of production companies associated with the band and the estate of guitarist John Cummings, who performed under the name Johnny Ramone.

Reinhardt's six songs for the RAMONES were "Smash You", "Somebody Put Something in My Drink", "Human Kind", "I'm Not Jesus", "I Know Better Now" and "(You) Can't Say Something Nice".

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