Tame Impala have not been short of legal controversy over the last year. With two separate lawsuits in the works, both in Australia and overseas, it appears their success and talent in the charts hasn’t translated to the courts.
Both of these lawsuits related to the band’s former label Modular and it’s founder Steve Pavlovic. The first alleged that he failed to pay Tame’s quarterly royalty payments, while in the second suit, he took on label goliath Universal, after they claimed that they had seized Modular at the end of 2014. This was apparently done in response to Pavlovic signing away his shares.
In the latter case, Universal Music initially succeeded in the Supreme Court as they found that even though Pavlovic hadn’t signed the actual agreement, he had represented to Universal that he had signed the documents over emails and had agreed to it. However, this was all reversed in the last week in the NSW Court of Appeals who ruled in favour of Pavlovic as they deemed a binding agreement hadn’t been reached. As a result, Pavlovic has maintained his 50% ownership of Modular and directorship.
The Chief Justice stated, “Whichever way the matter is looked at, I do not think that a binding agreement was reached.”
Pavlovic was understandably relieved at the news; “I built Modular out of sheer passion and a belief in unique creativity. I regret terribly that the bands I have nurtured and adored all these years were caught in the cross-fire between Universal and I.”
“It’s stressful to be one man staring down a corporate giant the size of Universal however I felt I had no choice but to fight for myself, the label I created and for the bands that we represent.”
But it also appears the case closer to the hearts of Tame Impala (and their pockets) has also failed.
Back in June, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker commented on Reddit that “Up until recently, from all of Tame Impala’s record sales outside of Australia, I had received…. zero dollars. Someone high up spent the money before it got to me.”
Universal Music and Modular have always denied the claims, and it seems the Southern District Court of New York agrees with them, as the claim that Tame Impala are owed over $450 000 in royalties has been dismissed.
Tame Impala are yet to respond, but Pavlovic has said, “I’m deeply sorry for any upset caused to Tame Impala given that I’ve always been a staunch supporter and fan of the band; and to BMG given the relationship we’ve always enjoyed with them.”
“I also regret the heavy-handed press coverage of this aspect of Modular’s affairs which was completely inaccurate and out of hand. However I hope that with Universal and Modular’s respective obligations to BMG on behalf of Tame Impala now resolved that a line can finally be drawn under this unfortunate chapter.”
Tame Impala are yet to comment on the findings of the US Court.