A PYMNTS Company

US: Enrique Iglesias sues Universal over streaming royalties

 |  January 25, 2018

Pop star Enrique Iglesias has accused his former label Universal of short-changing artists while benefiting from the soaring growth of streaming as he filed a lawsuit for breach of contract.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    “Universal has been systematically underpaying Iglesias’ streaming royalties by calculating those royalties at a small fraction of the contractually required 50% royalty rate,” said the lawsuit filed in Miami, where Iglesias lives.

    The lawsuit alleged that the 42-year-old heartthrob has lost millions of dollars “even though Iglesias has generated sales of a magnitude rarely attained in the music industry.”

    Iglesias said that the Universal Music Group, which is the world’s largest record label conglomerate, refused his requests to inspect its records.

    The son of legendary Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias, Enrique has achieved a booming international career with his fusion of ballads, reggaeton and pop as well as his on-stage sex appeal.

    Full Content: Reuters

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.