Metal Anarchy

Linkin Park have officially settled the lawsuit that was filed against them by their former bassist Kyle Christner. As previously reported, Christner decided to take legal action against the band in an effort to get credit and royalties for numerous tracks that he allegedly worked on in 1999.

The band said the following:

“We are pleased to announce that we have reached an amicable resolution with bass guitarist Kyle Christner. Kyle is a very talented musician who made valuable contributions to Linkin Park at a pivotal time in 1999. He performed with the band in several shows and many record label showcases. Kyle helped write and performed on many songs from that era, including some of the songs on the Hybrid Theory EP.”

Christner previously claimed that he contributed to over 20 of the group’s early songs and never received compensation. He also claimed that a manager for the band reached out to him at one point to let him know that he was owed royalties for three demos and the band’s “Hybrid Theory” EP. Those songs were all included in the 20th anniversary box set edition of the group’s 2000 album “Hybrid Theory.”

Christner allegedly reviewed the archival material in the box set and found his contributions on “more than twenty songs.” He then reached out to Machine Shop Entertainment, but the company’s director “went dark.” The complaint said the following about the tracks:

“Christner appears to have played on at least tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of Forgotten Demos, tracks 1, 2, 7, 13, 14, 16, 17 of LPU Rarities, and track 7 of B-Side Rarities, as well as the Hybrid Theory EP.”

For their part, Linkin Park tried to have the case dismissed, citing the statute of limitations, a failure to properly identify certain songs, and more. Their legal team have also took issue with Christner‘s claims regarding his involvement:

“Defendants repudiated Plaintiff’s purported ownership in any and all of the works mentioned in the [lawsuit] more than three years before Plaintiff filed this lawsuit — and indeed for over two decades.”

Before the settlement was reached, Christner was planning to dispute the motion. He was also trying to get credit and financial compensation for the songs in question.

[via Metal Injection]