Richard Carpenter Sues Music Companies for Unpaid Royalties

Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters. Photo courtesy of Variety.

Summary: Richard Carpenter is suing Universal Music Group and A&M Records for unpaid digital royalties.

Richard Carpenter is famous for being a part of the sibling musical duo, The Carpenters. While The Carpenters had big hits like “Close To You” and “Superstar,” Richard said that two music companies kept most of their money. This week, TMZ reported that he filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group and A&M Records; and Richard has summoned the estate of his dead sister, Karen Carpenter, to help with the case.

The Carpenters began their career in the 1970s. They recorded 11 records, released 31 singles, and won three Grammys. Richard’s sister Karen was the lead vocalist and drummer of the group, and she died in 1983 of starvation caused by an eating disorder.

Richard stated that the two companies ripped The Carpenters off of royalties from iTunes and other online sales distributors. He said that the digital world is different for musicians like him and that Universal and A&M are not giving artists their fair share. He wants the companies to pay up, to the tune of $2 million, and he cited a case involving Eminem as a precedent that his case has all the right notes.

Richard is suing for breach of contract as well as breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, according to Variety.

“I regret that I have been unable to amicably resolve this serious royalty dispute with Universal and A&M,” Carpenter said in a statement to Variety. “The Carpenters recordings are among the best sellers in the history of popular music and after 48 years continue to contribute a substantial amount to UMG/A&M’s annual bottom line. It seems only fair that these companies account fairly to my sister’s estate and to me. I look forward to proving the allegations in court.”

The Carpenters are represented by attorneys Larry Iser and Greg Gabriel at Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert.