NEWARK, N.J. — A record company that released an album of Bruce Springsteen’s early recordings without his permission has lost its bid to keep copyright control over the songs and has been ordered to destroy its recordings.
A federal judge in Newark issued the ruling in dismissing a lawsuit brought by Pony Express Records against Springsteen. Springsteen and Pony Express Records had filed competing claims for copyright control.
U.S. District Judge Harold Ackerman ruled June 22 that Springsteen retained the copyright for the songs in question, which include “Seaside Bar Song,” “War Nurse” and “Prodigal Son.”
In his decision, Ackerman cited a British ruling involving the album “Before the Fame” that said Springsteen owns the copyright to the recordings.
Steven Hayes, a lawyer for Springsteen, said Pony Express Records is forbidden from selling any more copies of “Before the Fame,” either in the United States or abroad.
A motion from Springsteen to recover costs and damages is still pending.
According to court documents, former Springsteen manager James Cretecos sold the rights to the songs to a company that granted Pony Express Records the licensing agreement. Cretecos represented Springsteen in the early 1970s.
Frank J. Cozzarelli, Cretecos’ lawyer, did not immediately return a telephone message Tuesday afternoon seeking comment.
