Four Tet takes former label Domino to court over digital royalties

Music industry watching case for future precedent on streaming and download rates

Four Tet is in dispute with Domino Records over royalty rates for digital releases of his early work, according to music industry trade mag Music Week.

Kieran Hebden aka Four Tet has launched a claim for damages against the leading British independent after his lawyers failed to reach an agreement during dialogue.  The case revolves around the royalty rate for digital rights, with Domino applying the same 18% rate it pays for physical sales, with Hedben arguing that a 50/50 split is reasonable.  A separate digital rate was never agreed because the deal was signed in 2001, before downloads and streaming were widespread.

He’s seeking damages of up to £70,000 plus costs, plus the introduction of the 50% rate for future earnings. He’s represented by Tom Richards of Blackstone Chambers, who has previously acted in similar claims brought by Radiohead and Marillion.

With streaming royalties the subject of fierce controversy and the subject of a current government inquiry, the case is being viewed with close interest by the wider industry.

Four Tet recorded three albums for Domino – Pause (2001), Rounds (2003) and Everything Ecstatic (2005), plus a live album, two extended EPs and /mini-albums eight singles.  In more recent times he’s issued records through his own label Text, including split singles with Thom Yorke and Burial, and June’s double vinyl, 14-track album New Energy.