September 21, 2007 21:16

Ramones drummer sues Apple and Wal-Mart

Richard Reinhardt says they don't have permission to sell his songs

A former member of The Ramones has filed a suit against Apple Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for copyright infringement.

Drummer Richard Reinhardt is alleging that the companies did not have permission to sell downloads of six songs that he wrote.

The suit also names the estate of Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone, Ramones Production Inc., and their music publisher as defendants, reports Reuters.

Reinhardt claims that the music publisher gave improper authorisation to third parties including Apple iTunes and Wal-Mart.com's music download service to sell the material.

The songs Reinhardt names in the lawsuit are 'Smash You', 'Somebody Put Something In My Drink', 'Human Kind', 'I'm Not Jesus, I Know Better Now' and '(You) Can't Say Anything Nice'.

The suit was filed today (September 21) in the US Federal Court in Manhattan.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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