“A former drummer of the iconic punk rock band The Ramones sued Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Apple Inc. and Real Networks Inc. on Friday, alleging copyright infringement over digital downloads of the band’s songs,” Chad Bray reports for MarketWatch.
“Richard Reinhardt, who performed under the name Richie Ramone, filed his lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan… Reinhardt claims he is the author of six Ramones songs… ‘Significantly, Richie has never licensed or authorized the use of the compositions in any digital formats,’ the lawsuit says,” Bray reports.
“The lawsuit claims Reinhardt has suffered at least $900,000 in damages as a result of the alleged infringement,” Bray reports.
Full article here.
i say we “beat the brat”!
Sounds like someone is a little short on cash.
isnt it the record companies responsibilty to ensure that the artists are paid? Apple don’t pay the artists, they pay the record companies. in turn they should pay the artists accordingly.
The RAMONES were an awesome band, one of my favs, I hope richie gets what he deserves, if it turns out hes been shafted.
He should be sedated.
How did his songs get onto itunes? If they were submitted by a recording company then he signed an agreement with the Fat Greedy Bastards! not Apple incs fault.
If they were submitted by his band then see the above!!!
If they were submitted by a ghost, see the above!!!
I wonder if he was drugs at the time?
Life hard, the you die…..Someone introduce him to the joy’s of drinking Camel’s Milk, One major & minor fart will inspire him to compose a “One hit wonder”!
Someone needs to read their contracts with their Recording label and publisher…
OMG, OMG,OMG it’s the Ramones!
Hey Richie, “Someone put something in your drink” and “why can’t you say something nice”? But seriously are you Jesus or just pissed at “Human Kind”? At your age “you should know better now”.
Who the Bleeep are the Ramones? Better yet who cares!
Timewaste…
Richie needs more drug money.
I can’t agree about the Ramones being a great band. I bought a collection of their best songs and couldn’t believe how bad most of them were. Mostly sounded like punk garagebands who barely knew how to play. I like punk but the Ramones were not close to being good in my opinion.
Dude, go get yourself SEDATED and go talk to your record company.
Razor got it right,
Except for one thing.
The Ramones SUCK!
I like how they say “former” drummer. He was a stand in. He didn’t make any significant contributions to the band or their signature sound.
What a loser.
This suit will be thrown out as soon as the Judge listens to the group’s “music”.
Yet another idiot.
What else was he to do?
The band is gone and mostly forgotten, he doesn’t have any talent or skill to make money on his own and drugs and hookers cost money.
He had to sue.
That’s the Ramone who only played for a few years, the later years I might add, left cuz he wanted shirt money. As for bashing the band, I suppose you liked the other stuff the mid 70’s had to offer? Captain and tinelle? ELO? The Carpenters?
Wait, I mean cheezy ramones song title pun, durp.
So sad, have pity on the surviving punk residue….But no soup for you! (or money) Sue the record companies…
“…mostly sounded like punk garagebands who barely knew how to play…”
Uh, it’s punk, man The attitude was more important than the notes. No one will ever confuse Joey Ramone or Patti Smith or Wendy Williams or Johnny Rotten with philosophers – but then Plato could never crank out “The KKK Took My Baby Away” after running up heroin, either.
Have some respect for the innovators – they’re not always as polished as the imitators.
Apple may need to build a 3rd campus for their own lawyers. With all the current lawsuits (and future lawsuits), they’ll need all the space they can get.
If Mr. Reinhardt wants to make some pocket cash and do the world a favor at the same time, he should instead sue his label(s) for everything they’re worth, they’re the ones that cut the distribution deals with the distributors – hello…?
Is he suing the distributors of the CDs, as well?
So much for anti-establishmentarianism.
“Have some respect for the innovators – they’re not always as polished as the imitators.”
My point was that the Ramones were hardly innovators. Surprisingly few ideas for a band with such a high reputation. That’s what disappointed me. Plenty of bands in that time were more innovative: Stranglers, Jam, Joy Division (then New Order) and I’m probably forgetting many more. The Velvet Underground were in my opinion way more influential than any other band.
But, I wear a Ramones T-shirt every day. I’m in the club!
Seriously? You’re going to compare crude noisemakers like the Ramones to an immense talent like Karen Carpenter? With a straight face?