Linkin Park sued by ex-bassist over royalty dispute

Linkin Park are being sued by former bassist Kyle Christner, who was part of the band from 1998 to 1999. Christner‘s grievances include songwriting credits and royalties for 24 bonus tracks featured on the 20th anniversary edition of the band’s debut album “Hybrid Theory“. The anniversary edition was filled with dozens of bonus tracks and early demos in 2020. 

Rolling Stone reports that Christner filed suit against his former bandmates (Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson and Joseph Hahn), as well as Warner Records, and Shinoda and Delson‘s Machine Shop Records label, in Los Angeles, CA, on November 08.

Christner is seeking songwriting credits and potential back royalties for the music he claims to have had participated in, and was featured on that edition. Christner also alleges he took part in the writing process of a few of the songs. He is hoping for the court to establish who wrote what part on the disputed tracks, with potential payment of any royalties owed, besides interest and his attorney fees to be payed for by the defendants.

Christner alleges that a member of Linkin Park‘s team contacted him about him being owed royalties for three of the demos and the six-song “Hybrid Theory” EP featured in the set. However, Christner claims that his work and involvement was more extensive than those nine songs.

The plaintiff alleges that, upon voicing his concerns about not being credited for the other tracks, the band’s management dismissed him. According to Rolling Stone, members of the band and their representatives are yet to comment on the matter.