Two former members of the Smashing Pumpkins have sued Virgin Records saying their never gave permission to the company to distribute their work digitally and that they have never been compensated for sales to date.
James Iha and Darcy Wretzky filed a lawsuit Thursday in California Supreme Court asking to be compensated for all money generated from various digital deals in addition to damages.
Iha, one of the band's guitarists, and bassist Wretzky allege that when Virgin sought the band's permission to supply digital versions of the Smashing Pumpkins music only group leader Billy Corgan signed an amendment to the band's initial contract. In addition to allowing downloads, Corgan agreed to let Virgin implement a mid-price sales campaign on the Pumpkins' catalog.
They also contend that a royalty payment for digital sales of the band's work was sent to Corgan in 2007 and that they were never compensated. After discovering 100% of the royalties had gone to Corgan, Iha and Wretzky requested copies of digital income statements and never received them,.