Eminem sues his own record label

Eminem: has royalty issues.

Eminem’s Relapse album might be set to be released via Universal Music, but a new lawsuit suggests that all is not completely well between artist and record company.

It’s being reported that F.B.T. Productions, Eminem’s publishing company, is suing Universal Music Group for $1.6m for unpaid digital royalties.

The case has come about because of a disagreement over whether a download sale – of a song or ringtone, for example – should fall under a licensing or distribution agreement. When music is sold in a physical format, it’s said to be licensed, and artists receive a higher royalty.

However, it seems that Universal has up to now been putting Eminem’s digital sales under the distribution header, meaning that he’s been paid less.

The trial is expected to feature several high-profile testimonies, including one (via video) from Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who’s currently on leave of absence from the company. He’ll be asked to speak about the iTunes Music Store’s relationship with Universal, presumably.

It’s being speculated that a victory for Eminem could be the catalyst for other artists to bring similar cases against record labels.