Blunt label boss sues over album

Blunt released his second album All The Lost Souls in 2007

The US producer who signed James Blunt is suing Warner Music Group over royalties she says she is owed for the singer's debut album Back to Bedlam.

Blunt's label Custard, run by Linda Perry, has filed the breach of contract lawsuit in New York and is seeking lost royalties plus $5m (£2.5m) in damages.

The album is distributed by Warner subsidiary Atlantic Records.

A spokesman said Atlantic had always compensated Custard in accordance with a contract between the two.

The album has since sold more than 11 million copies worldwide.

Perry, the former lead singer and songwriter for rock group 4 Non Blondes, has also written and produced hits for Gwen Stefani, Pink and Christina Aguilera.

'Lack of support'

The lawsuit claims that Perry discovered Blunt in 2003, signed him to her label and delivered Back to Bedlam to Atlantic, which initially showed a "general lack of support" for the album.

Atlantic had grossed more than $100 million (£50 million) in sales from Blunt, the suit said.

It continued: "Atlantic's wrongdoing follows the far too familiar scenario involving a large multinational corporate record company which takes advantage of a small, independent production company."

But Warner Music Group spokesman Will Tanous said Atlantic Records valued its relationship with Perry.

He said: "Custard has always been and will continue to be compensated in accordance with the terms of its contractual arrangement with Atlantic."