Remember how I said earlier to check HotJobs if you work for EMI? I'd really step up that search, should Victory Records win in the lawsuit they filed against Virgin/EMI today, as they're suing for $35 million.
Does EMI even have $35 million?
The lawsuit states, "Virgin/EMI improperly induced platinum-selling band Hawthorne Heights to repudiate its contract with top independent label Victory Records." Yep, it's another round in the Virgin/Hawthorne Heights nightmare web of lawsuits. The thing is, this time, it looks like Victory might have a pretty solid case.
The label alleges Virgin/EMI gave Hawthorne Heights $55,000, which they used to pay for their lawsuit against the label in 2006. As such, the label believe this qualifies as interfering with contractual/business relations. I have to be honest: I love Hawthorne Heights, but I did always wonder where they got the money for the continued lawsuits.... They sold a lot of copies, but they didn't sell that many copies. The label's lawyer said, via a press release: "They did more than merely offer a carrot to the band, but also saddled the horse, paid for a rider to take the reins, and led it out of the barn."
Strange analogy, but I see where he's going with it. Neigh.
The suit seeks $10 million in compensation and $25 million in punitive damages. And again, while it's popular for people online to complain about Victory Records? I've never really understood how the situation with this band wasn't equated to poaching from a smaller label and taking one of their breakout successes.
The band is still obligated to give two more albums to Victory Records, according to the last court ruling on their contractual obligations, but there were some weird clauses. And the band still refuses to record for Victory, which is another point in the lawsuit, which was filed in New York City earlier today.
I honestly think Victory is in the right here. I also think they should probably stop pursuing Hawthorne Heights, because face it -- even if they do record for the label, they probably won't do their best job, with all the bad blood between the two. Going after the people who funded their lawsuit and tried to steal the band, though? It makes perfect sense.
I can't believe there are still lawsuits being filed over this situation, but I have a feeling that Victory vs Hawthorne Heights is here to stay. Sort of like death and taxes. It's just part of life.
Anyway, good luck to Victory. They could do a lot more good with $35 million [though, as I already said, does EMI even have that kind of money?] than Virgin or EMI ever could.
