George Clinton is involved in a legal dispute with Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging the company has withheld royalty payments exceeding $1.1 million over multiple years. The case, filed in Michigan, centers on a claim of breach of contract.
The current dispute originates from a 2022 lawsuit brought by the estate of Bernie Worrell, a keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic.
The Worrell estate asserted a 50% ownership stake in specific recordings based on a 1976 agreement.
UMG was initially a defendant in the Worrell estate’s lawsuit but was dismissed from the case in 2023. The Worrell estate subsequently lost the initial court decision and is currently pursuing an appeal.
A 1980 agreement forms a central element of Clinton’s disagreement with UMG, permitting the company to withhold royalties to the extent “reasonably necessary” to safeguard its interests and address potential liabilities.
Clinton’s complaint states that UMG is no longer exposed to “potential liability” in the Worrell litigation following its dismissal as a defendant.
The complaint further alleges that UMG is withholding 100% of royalties across Clinton’s entire recording career, despite Worrell’s claim being limited to a 50% co-ownership interest in recordings from 1976.
This withholding extends to royalties from recordings unrelated to the Worrell dispute, including Clinton’s work as a producer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Clinton is requesting more than $1.1 million in unpaid royalties, along with interest and profits derived from the withheld funds, and a court order to halt further royalty withholding by UMG.
