Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst sues UMG for $200+ million, claiming the band was never paid royalties

Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst has filed a massive $200 million lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging that the label has withheld millions in royalties from him and his bandmates through what he describes as "fraudulent accounting practices." Durst's lawsuit, filed in federal court in Los Angeles on October 8th, claims that UMG has shorted the nü-metal icons on royalties for years.

In addition to Limp Bizkit, Durst alleges that artists who signed with his former label imprint, Flawless Records, were also victims of these deceptive practices. The label's roster included bands like Puddle of Mudd—whose 2001 album Come Clean went triple-platinum—alongside Wes Borland's side project Big Dumb Face, The Revolution Smile, Kenna, Sinisstar, and others.

According to Billboard, the lawsuit seeks royalties for around 45 million albums sold during Limp Bizkit's prime in the late '90s and early 2000s. With nü-metal experiencing a resurgence, the band's catalog is expected to generate over 793 million streams this year alone. Despite the success, Durst claims he has yet to receive any royalties due to UMG's alleged mishandling.

Durst outlines in the suit how the band's record deal, typical of the time, involved advances that UMG was supposed to recoup through album sales and other earnings before passing on royalties. However, UMG reportedly told the band that $43 million in advances and associated costs had yet to be recouped, leaving Durst without any royalty payments to date. The lawsuit alleges that UMG even stopped providing updates on these payments, claiming the account was "so far from recoupment."

Durst also calls out Flip Records, the indie label that first signed Limp Bizkit, Staind, and Cold, for allegedly engaging in a profit-sharing scheme with UMG. Flip, founded by former Geffen Records president Jordan Schur, helped launch Limp Bizkit's career with their debut Three Dollar Bill, Y'all in 1997, followed by the massive hits Significant Other (1999) and Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000).

Durst says that after hiring new representation in April, they discovered UMG had failed to notify the band about a $1.03 million payment owed to them, blaming the omission on a software glitch. Following his team's investigation, UMG released the $1.03 million to Limp Bizkit and $2.3 million to Durst's Flawless Records. Despite these payouts, Durst maintains that UMG has engaged in ongoing fraudulent accounting to avoid paying the full amount owed, enriching themselves at the expense of artists.

Fred Durst's lawsuit takes direct aim at Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of setting up a system that not only withheld royalties but did so while claiming to support and protect its artists. Durst's complaint called UMG's actions "appalling and unsettling," pointing out the disconnect between the label's public image and its alleged behind-the-scenes practices.

The suit suggests that potentially "hundreds" of other artists could have been impacted by these deceptive practices, alleging that UMG never had any intention of paying royalties to Durst, Limp Bizkit, or other artists associated with his Flawless Records imprint. Durst isn't just looking for $200 million in damages—he's also seeking to void Limp Bizkit's contract with UMG. This would give the band ownership of the albums they released through the label, as well as the rights to albums Durst produced for other artists via Flawless Records.

Durst's complaint further details the potential for copyright damages against UMG, stating that the amount owed to the band and his label could surpass the $200 million mark.