Judge dismisses part of Limp Bizkit’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group

A significant setback has hit Limp Bizkit’s legal battle against Universal Music Group (UMG), as a judge has ruled the band cannot void their contract with the label.

The lawsuit, filed in October by frontman Fred Durst, originally sought over $200 million in unpaid royalties. The legal action was initiated after Durst’s new management discovered significant discrepancies in financial records. Beyond royalties, the band sought to void their UMG contract, reclaim their copyrights, and receive damages for copyright infringement.

On January 17, according to Rolling Stone, Judge Percy Anderson cited UMG’s previous royalty and advance payments to the band as grounds for dismissing the contract voiding claim, stating: “The Court therefore concludes that Plaintiffs have not plausibly alleged the type of ‘substantial’ or ‘total failure’ in the performance of the contracts that could support rescission of the parties’ agreements.“

The band’s attorney, Frank Seddigh, responded:

“The Court ruled on three of our claims against Universal and gave us the opportunity to amend our complaint further — in order to keep litigating in Federal Court. The facts speak for themselves. Universal will be held accountable for its actions and will not get away with its conduct at the expense of artists.”

The band has until February 3 to file an amended complaint.