Hall and Oates take legal action

Hall and Oates started working together in the early 1970s

Singers Daryl Hall and John Oates have sued their music publisher, claiming they failed to protect their rights to their 1982 hit Maneater.

The case, filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, says an unidentified singer-songwriter had used their song in a 2006 recording.

Warner Chappell Music are accused of breaching their contract by refusing to sue for copyright infringement.

A company spokeswoman said the case was "completely without merit".

Damages

She added: "We will defend ourselves vigorously."

The US singers are seeking an unspecified amount in damages and a termination of their contract with the publishing company.

Hall and Oates started working together in the early 1970s, and have become one of the most successful duos in pop history.

Their other hits include Rich Girl, Private Eyes, I Can't Go for That (No Can Do), Sara Smile and She's Gone.

They were inducted into the US songwriters' Hall of Fame in 2003.