Taylor Swift Is Suing Sports Bar

Country sensation Taylor Swift is suing the owners of a bar in Idaho for allegedly playing her songs without permission.

The Love Story hit-maker has teamed up with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the organization which collects license fees on behalf of songwriters and distributes them as royalties, to file a copyright infringement lawsuit against The Sports Cellar venue.

The legal action comes after BMI representatives allegedly discovered that Swift’s hits were being used to entertain revelers even though the bar’s owners had failed to obtain a proper music license.

According to TMZ.com, Swift and BMI bosses are seeking unspecified damages.

No Doubt “Band Hero” Lawsuit

No Doubt has filed a lawsuit against Activision, protesting the use of their avatars in Band Hero.

“No Doubt agreed to place avatars containing their name and likeness performing three No Doubt songs in the upcoming Band Hero game of the Guitar Hero series from Activision,” reads a statement from the band, obtained by Rolling Stone Magazine this week. “Without the band’s knowledge or approval Activision turned the group into virtual karaoke players by having them perform over 60 additional songs by other musical groups.

Neighbor Sues Madonna Because Her Music Is Too Loud

One of Madonna’s New York neighbors says the superstar’s loud music and frequent dance sessions are causing a commotion. Karen George, of Manhattan, lives above Madonna in a building on Central Park.

She said in a lawsuit filed Friday against the building’s co-op board that the Material Girl is using her apartment as a rehearsal studio, forcing neighbors to endure “blaring music, stomping and shaking walls,” for up to three hours each day.

George complained about “unreasonably high-decibel, amplified music” and vibrations pouring through walls, ceilings and radiators.

The building’s board says it has already threatened to evict Madonna. Madonna’s representatives didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Like a virgin….touched for the very first time.

Carly Simon Sues Starbucks

Sixties icon Carly Simon is suing Starbucks, blaming bosses of the coffee chain’s record label for the poor sales of her 2008 album This Kind Of Love.

Simon signed a deal to release the Brazilian-themed disc through Starbucks’ Hear Music label. The record sold just 124,000 copies, a third of the sales of her 2005 album Moonlight Serenade. Its poor performance has forced Simon to cancel her retirement plans, and she’s accusing Starbucks of mismanaging the project.

In a lawsuit filed on Friday, Simon alleges label bosses halved her advance, and have yet to pay her what she is owed. She also claims Starbucks scaled back its Hear Music venture just days after signing her, handing day-to-day management of the album to a new partner.

The lawsuit accuses Starbucks executives of promotional negligence, alleging they failed to stock her CD in many of its stores – and failed to warn her about the downgrading of their involvement with Hear Music.

Simon’s lawyer says, “Instead of advising her as soon as they could that this was a problem, Starbucks kept it secret, and they tried to deceive her even after they made the so-called public announcement.” The singer claims the fiasco has left her in financial difficulty, owing money on her home in Massachusetts and forcing her to record another album, Never Been Gone, through her son’s record label.

Her lawsuit demands between $5 million and $10 million from Starbucks, alleging “concealment of material facts,” “tortuous interference” with the contract, and “unlawful, unfair and fraudulent business practices.”

A Starbucks spokesman has responded in a statement that reads, “(We are) disappointed to hear that (Simon) may be taking this action. Starbucks has great respect for Ms. Simon and is hopeful that this matter can be resolved in an amicable manner.”

Toni Braxton Sued By Bank

(Starpulse)

Toni Braxton’s legal woes are stacking up – she has been hit with a lawsuit from bank bosses who allege she owes them money.

City National Bank (CNB ) officials are suing the Unbreak My Heart singer for breach of contract, accusing her of failing to pay $900,000 she allegedly pledged in writing to pay back. Bank bosses insist Braxton “made, executed and delivered to a CNB Promissory Note for $900,000″ in November 2007, according to the lawsuit obtained by RadarOnline.com.

The star was due to pay back the amount by February 2008, but she renegotiated the arrangement after encountering financial difficulties.

Braxton then fell behind in payments in April, prompting lawyers for CNB to file the lawsuit, seeking $657,500 plus interest in excess of $44,000.

The 40 year old was countersued by London insurance officials earlier this month after she launched legal action against them over the cancellation of a string of shows.

The Irish Are Fighting Over Lady Gaga

TMZ.com is reporting that Lady Gaga is in the middle of a million dollar lawsuit.

An Irish entertainment company called “Grooveyard” claims they were looking to book talent for October concerts in Belfast and Dublin, when they struck a deal with a NY-based company claiming to rep Lady Gaga.

In the lawsuit, Grooveyard claims they shelled out $320,000 to book Gaga — but now they believe the guy who took the check may not rep Gaga after all. Here’s why:

Grooveyard claims after they began promoting Gaga’s shows — mega-promoters AEG Live hit them with a cease and desist letter, stating AEG has the sole authority to book Lady G.

So now, Grooveyard is very upset and is demanding their money back in a million-dollar lawsuit filed in NY State court.

Fergie Accused Of Copyright Infringement

Singer Fergie has been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit over allegations she stole her song Voodoo Doll from a track recorded by little-known reggae group Groundation.

The singer and her Black Eyed Peas bandmate will.i.am, who produced and co-wrote the 2006 tune, are being sued by record bosses at Grounded Music.

They claim the stars copied the beat from Groundation’s Each One Teach One, a song recorded in 2000 which Grounded Music owns the rights to.

According to legal papers obtained by TMZ.com, Grounded Music executives believe Fergie’s Voodoo Doll is “substantially and strikingly similar” to the band’s record and they are seeking unspecified damages.

Voodoo Doll was featured on Fergie’s debut solo album, The Dutchess.

Aaron Carter Hit With Lawsuit

Aaron Carter is facing legal action from music industry executives after failing to deliver a new album.

The pop star, currently preparing for his stint on the reality series Dancing With The Stars, has been hit with a lawsuit from bosses at Signature Networks, who were set to distribute the album’s merchandising.

Carter, the younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick, is being sued for $574,169.17 as well as legal fees, reports TMZ.com.

His parents have also been named in the suit as the 21 year old was a minor when he signed the deal.