Fred Durst’s $200m lawsuit for Limp Bizkit’s unpaid royalties might be in trouble after a motion to dismiss was filed.
Universal Music Group responded to Durst’s lawsuit, calling his claims ‘false’ and asking for the case to be dismissed. UMG claims Limp Bizkit’s manager was informed in 2023 about setting up a vendor profile for royalty payments. The manager reportedly said most band members, including Durst, had sold their royalty shares, so no payments were due to them.
“In other words, Plaintiffs’ entire narrative that UMG tried to conceal royalties is a fiction. Mr. Ta’s statement to UMG regarding the sale/assignment was apparently an error, which he realized some fifteen months later when he again communicated with UMG’s Royalties Department, and Plaintiffs concede thereafter receiving millions of dollars in payments from UMG,” UMG added.
They continued, “Plaintiffs nevertheless brought this suit alleging breach of contract and fraud on their ‘suspici[on]’ that they are owed more royalties, and seeking rescission of the parties’ agreements, among other relief.”
In April 2024, Limp Bizkit’s manager corrected earlier claims, saying the band hadn’t assigned their royalties. UMG then started paying royalties, sending $1.03 million to Limp Bizkit and $2.3 million to Flawless Records in August 2024.
Despite this, Limp Bizkit issued a legal notice to cancel agreements with UMG in September. When UMG rejected it, the band sued, claiming breaches and fraud, and seeking compensation for other artists and copyright returns.
Durst sued Universal Music Group for $200 million, claiming unpaid royalties last month. He says UMG used dishonest policies to hide money and has never paid him royalties. The lawsuit also seeks compensation for artists under Durst’s Flawless Records. Limp Bizkit sold 45 million records, with over 450 million Spotify streams this year.
UMG reportedly told Durst $43 million still needs to be repaid before royalties can start. Durst later found out that Flip Records, the band’s old label, made millions sharing profits with UMG. The band asked for $20 million in damages.
The lawsuit read, “Given the vast amounts of money collected by UMG in relation to sales of Limp Bizkit’s and Flawless Records’ albums over the years … UMG is liable to plaintiffs for tens of millions of dollars in copyright infringement, if not more. Indeed, Plaintiffs allege that the amounts owed to them by UMG following the rescission of these agreements will easily surpass $200 million.”
“UMG’s creation of such a system, while holding itself out as a company that prides itself on investing in and protecting its artists, makes Plaintiffs’ discovery of UMG’s scheme all the more appalling and unsettling,” it also said.
Limp Bizkit also says their assets grew 68% last year without releasing new music, but they claim UMG deceived them. Durst wants to cancel their contracts with UMG for both the band and Flawless Records. They are suing for contract breaches, hiding information, and copyright issues.
