In September Patently Apple posted a legal report titled "Apple hit with a 15 Count Class Action Lawsuit Regarding Defective Powerbeats Headphones." Yesterday another lawsuit was launched against Apple for Beats Music, now Apple Music, for not properly paying artists. Bryan Eich who has three records to his credit as noted by the album covers noted above, is behind the lawsuit.

Eich notes in his lawsuit against Apple that two of his copyrighted albums, 'Sleeping by a Wire' and 'Devil in Disguise' covers 18 recordings. "This matter is brought on behalf of plaintiff and a putative class of independent artist who own the publishing rights to their copyrighted recordings (the "Putative Class") to remedy defendant's systematic infringement, and theft of royalties," by Apple Music (formally known as Beats Music).

Eich claims that Apple (and Beats) deliberately deleted stream information to hide defendant's systematic violation of plaintiff's exclusive rights under the Act. He also claims that Apple/Beats altered the streaming reports years after they were issued in order to hide the infringements and failed to serve some or all of the monthly and annual reports to conceal the infringements.

Eich adds that "The laundry list of frauds, and misdeeds, perpetrated by the defendant shocks the conscious. Defendant systematically infringed the copyrighted recordings of plaintiff and the Putative Class, while simultaneously engaging in an illegal scheme to reduce its royalty obligations in violation of the Copyright Act."

It's a rather complex case to follow, though if you're in the music industry or a struggling recording artist, it's an important case because it could open up a door for other artists to follow and sue Apple should the case be successful in winner their case. Below is the full case for your review courtesy of Patently Apple.  

Bryan Eich v Apple Inc, Music Copyright Lawsuit by Jack Purcher on Scribd

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