Undated) — Rihanna’s Emmy-nominated “Saturday Night Live” sketch “Shy Ronnie” is at the center of a new lawsuit. “The Hollywood Reporter” says Aleric Banks and Monique Hines are suing NBC Universal, “SNL” star Andy Samberg, The Lonely Island and Universal Republic Records for allegedly stealing their material. Banks and Hines claim they have a mutual connection with Samberg, and submitted a few songs as he prepared his first album with The Lonely Island. The tracks in question became “Shy Ronnie” and another “SNL” skit called “Like a Boss.” Hines and Banks were initially excited to have their work on national television, and Banks went on to fill out a “producer declaration” form claiming they were 50 percent owners of the copyright.
Banks says problems eventually arose when he received a response letter stating that he had entered into an agreement with The Lonely Island that only entitled them to 25 percent. Banks says they still have yet to receive any payment for royalties or profits. They are now suing for copyright infringement and unjust enrichment. NBC Universal has declined to discuss the lawsuit.
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Andrew Michalscheck/sw
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Metro Networks Inc.
11-08-2011 01:13:57
