Backstreet Boys sue record label

The group say they are victims of boardroom politics

Pop group the Backstreet Boys have launched a $100m (£63m) legal claim against their record label Zomba.

The case, filed on Monday in Manhattan, New York, alleges Zomba held up the release of the US group's fourth album, due on 30 April, 2002.

The suit claims that Zomba were allegedly too preoccupied with a now-completed merger with German media giant Bertelsmann AG.

The company has not commented on the singers' legal move.

Zomba had promised the Backstreet Boys an advance of $5m (£3.1m) if they completed the album on time.

The group allege that Zomba made that deadline impossible by withholding approval of songwriters and producers.

The suit alleges Zomba concentrated on Nick Carter's solo effort

The group also claim that, as a result of not having a new album to promote, they were unable to tour and so lost millions in revenue.

"Zomba were busy negotiating their deal with Bertelsmann and were not available at all," said the group's lawyer, Carla Christofferson.

"They were withholding approval rights and the band could not move forward."

The suit alleges that, rather than release the fourth album, Zomba decided to produce and promote a solo album by one of the group's members, Nick Carter.

We will protect our group from anybody or anything that tries to break us apart

The Backstreet Boys

The Backstreet Boys, one of Zomba's biggest acts, are seeking $75m (£47.4m) for violation of trademark, $5m (£3.1m) for a lost advance and at least $20m (£12.6m) in punitive damages.

The group say they are "disappointed" that their label had "attempted to irresponsibly exploit the group".

"We are committed to the Backstreet Boys, and we will protect our group from anybody or anything that tries to break us apart," they said in a statement.

"The five of us are writing for our new CD and setting concert dates for our upcoming worldwide summer tour."

The Backstreet Boys produced and released three albums through Zomba's Jive records between 1994 and 2001, selling more than 65 million copies.

The suit says the group's success "revitalised a musical genre".

"They provided a springboard for Zomba and its label Jive records to capitalise on other popular artists who followed in its wake," the complaint says.

Mastermind

Clive Calder, the mastermind behind pop stars such as the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and 'NSync, cashed in and walked away from his Zomba label on Tuesday in a $2.74bn (£1.73bn) deal with German media giant Bertelsmann AG.

Bertelsmann said Mr Calder was resigning as chairman and chief executive of the Zomba Music Group he founded in the 1970s but would remain in a part-time advisory role.

Zomba will now move under the umbrella of BMG, home to stars such as Christina Aguilera and the Foo Fighters.