Larry Heard and Robert Owens file lawsuit against Trax Records for unpaid royalties and exploitation
The American artists’ lawsuit alleges “exploitation,” claiming that the duo have never been properly paid royalties for their releases on the label. Their records on Trax include classics like “Bring Down The Walls” and “Washing Machine,” under the names Mr. Fingers and Fingers Inc. The lawsuit also alleges that the label enriched itself instead of compensating artists properly.
Owens and Heard are seeking $150,000 in damages for each work, with a minimum total of $1 million, according to MusicBusinessWorldwide. The duo are being supported in the suit by their publishing company TaP Music.
“I discovered that Larry had found himself in a situation with Trax Records where his lack of legal representation on his first recordings allowed his artistry to be ruthlessly exploited,” says Rene Gelston, who has been Heard’s manager since 1989. “This story is true of Robert and lots of other artists signed to Trax.”
Trax and its founder, Larry Sherman (who died in April), has been the subject of criticism going back to the ’80s, surrounding not only unpaid royalties and shoddy contracts signed with artists, but also using recycled vinyl to create cheap, poor-quality pressings. Since 2006, the label has been run by Chicago house producer Rachel Cain.
Resident Advisor has reached out to Trax Records for comment.
