Billy T James rights dispute

The NZ Herald reports that "The widow and daughter of Billy T. James are considering legal action for what they claim is their share of royalties from DVD sales estimated to be worth $3 million."

The DVD was released by Sony Music NZ and has sold over 100,000 copies since Xmas 2008, but it appears that due to the rights to James' material being held with several copyright holders, they may have used material which they did not have permission to.

" ... it is understood it stems from her [James' wife, Lynn Matthews] claims of intellectual property rights over some Billy T. James recordings and scripts. She has assigned those rights to independent label Pagan Records to license on her behalf. Pagan representative Tim Moon declined to discuss specifics, but said legal action was possible. "These companies rely on copyright legislation in running their businesses. Billy's family are entitled to the same reliance."

Sony responded with a statement, saying "Sony Music Entertainment (New Zealand) is confident it can come to a commercial arrangement with Pagan Records after recently concluding an arrangement with The Billy T James Family Trust."