A federal judge has ruled that Limp Bizkit's $200 million lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) can proceed, denying the music giant's motion to dismiss the case centered on unpaid royalties.
The lawsuit, filed in October 2024 in Los Angeles, claims that as of April 2024, Limp Bizkit "had not seen a dime in royalties" on their music catalog. Lead singer Fred Durst and the band accuse UMG of implementing a "fraudulent" royalty tracking system designed to conceal artist payments and retain profits.
The dispute gained momentum when UMG approached Durst in early 2024 about a 25th-anniversary re-release of the band's breakthrough album "Significant Other." Durst declined to approve any new content, viewing it as a "money grab" that would primarily benefit UMG while the band remained unpaid.
According to the lawsuit, despite Limp Bizkit's renewed popularity generating "millions in income" for UMG and Flip Records, the band had not received royalty payments. While the group eventually received $1.03 million, with an additional $2.3 million going to Durst's Flawless Records, they maintain they are owed substantially more.
Judge Percy Anderson's 17-page ruling requires UMG to file a formal response to the copyright claims by April 7, 2025. While certain aspects of the case involving breach of contract must be refiled in state courts, the core copyright infringement complaint will remain in federal court.
The case could have broader implications for the music industry, as the lawsuit suggests UMG's practices may affect other artists under the label. The ruling allows Limp Bizkit to pursue their claims about UMG's alleged systematic withholding of royalties and questionable accounting practices.
Limp Bizkit rose to prominence in the late 1990s with hit albums "Significant Other" and "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water," which both topped the charts and achieved multi-platinum status.