Left lane BV
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News from the NOS•today, 07:36•Modified today, 09:36
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Dutch artist and producer Mr. Probz is asking for ten million euros from the record company Sony Music Entertainment (SME). The company is said to have withheld copyrights for years. Mr. Probz, who is called Dennis Stehr in everyday life, went to court.
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It is the second time that Mr. Probz and his company Left Lane are suing the music giant. In September 2020 they had already successfully filed a lawsuit against SME, even then it was a matter of royalties. Sony did not provide detailed information on the numbers, leaving Mr. Probz and his company unclear about the copyrights they were entitled to.
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Sony had yet to provide the accounts. An investigation by accounting firm Grant Thornton revealed that the record company did not fulfill the contract and that there is fraud and deception. With a judgment on the merits, Mr. Try to get his money now.
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“I have never received the compensation to which I was entitled from the start and I suspect that I am not alone,” said Mr. probz. “What we have discovered after years of litigation and recent audits is so wrong that I have no choice but to take these steps.”
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Surprise and disbelief
Royalties expert Pim Keulen says he read the firm’s findings with “surprise and disbelief.” “SMEs apparently enter into reciprocal agreements within a group, outside of the artists, as a result of which musicians lose significant revenue and cannot rely on the proper settlement of all revenue received by SMEs.”
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It’s a well-known problem in the music world, says lawyer Sander Petit, who specializes in music rights. “The world of music is not transparent. Last year a law was passed that should change it,” he says in NOS Radio 1 News. “Artists have to compete against big companies. It’s a tough battle, but I’m certainly not without a chance.”
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Sony Music Entertainment says so FD “strongly contest” the allegations. The company declined to comment further while the case is in court.
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Mr. Probz is known for his successes Waves in Nothing really matters.
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