Beyonce is Crazy in Copyright Woe

Indie mash-up artists aren't the only ones with copyright problems, deluxe editions of Beyonce's album "B-Day" could be pulled from record store shelves due to a copyright dispute between her label, Colombia Records, and the rightsholder to a "B-Day" track. At issue is "Still in Love (Kissing You)," a re-working of the 1996 Des'ree song "I'm Kissing You."

According to Billboard:

The Royalty Network Inc., a publishing company administering the copyright on behalf of Timothy Attack, co-writer of the song, alleges that Sony BMG didn't receive their permission to use "I'm Kissing You." It is pressing the matter by filing a copyright infringement complaint with the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York -- a move that has led to a temporary halt of distribution of the album.

A preliminary injunction hearing is set for May 4. Depending on the outcome, Colombia parent Somy BMG could have to re-release the album minus the disputed track, and even pull the reported "several hundred thousand copies" that have already shipped from store shelves. Digital versions of the track have already disappeared from the iTunes Store and other online outlets.

But fear not, Beyonce believers, Billboard also reports that the matter could go away for "the right price." Let's hope so, I'm sure that "Still in Love (Kissing You)" is, er, completely Irreplaceable.

Photo: Beyonceonline.com