Seventeen record companies are suing the producers of the Ellen DeGeneres Show for copyright infringement. In a complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, the record companies allege that the producers willingly used over one thousand sound recordings without obtaining necessary licenses. They allege that the producers used these recordings in different segments of the show, but in particular in the “dance over scene”, where DeGeneres dances from the stage to the interview area following the opening monologue.
Scott Rowe, spokesperson for one of the producers, wrote in an e-mailed statement that the company has been working with the record labels for months to resolve the issue and remains willing to resolve it on "amicable and reasonable terms." Rowe said the issue does not involve DeGeneres, whom Rowe describes as "a tremendous music enthusiast and advocate."
For a copy of the suit, visit: