The publisher wants $450,000 for due mechanical royalties.

Tame Impala songwriter Kevin Parker has accused his former label Modular Recordings and its co-owner Universal Music Australia of not paying him due mechanical royalties, and his publisher BMG has sued them.

The process began after a Reddit AMA with Parker, in which he described the lack of royalties the band has received.

“Someone high up spent the money before it got to me. I may never get that money,” he wrote. “Then Blackberry and some tequila brand or something put my song in an ad. Then I bought a house and set up a studio. I know what you’re thinking… “wait so…when I bought an album I was helping some businessman pay for his mansion on an island somewhere, and when some dude bought a mobile phone he was helping to pay an artist? WHHHYY?” I’ll tell you why, IT’S MONEY. It doesn’t always go where you want it to go. It’s like a shopping trolley with a bung wheel.”

Parker’s publisher BMG has since issued a lawsuit against 14 companies including Modular, Universal Music Group and Universal Music Australia. Universal has since denied all responsibility for the payment of the band’s royalties, claiming that Modular founder Steve Pavlovic is responsible.

“Universal Music Australia and Modular Recordings totally reject the claim made by BMG that they are in any way liable for unpaid mechanical royalties relating to the band Tame Impala. Universal Music Australia and Modular Recordings were not involved in contracting with BMG over mechanicals for sales of Tame Impala recordings in the United States.

“A totally separate US registered company – owned and operated by Mr Pavlovic – is responsible for contracting with BMG and for any mechanicals liability.

“Mr Pavlovic, who is no longer employed by Modular Recordings, has confirmed that this matter has nothing to do with Universal Music Australia or Modular Recordings in Australia.

“Universal Music Australia and Modular Recordings are confident that the claim against them is baseless and will be withdrawn or dismissed by the Court.”

BMG and Parker are so far yet to comment on the lawsuit. [via Music Business Worldwide]