The Purple One sues 22 unnamed fans for distributing bootlegged concert audio.

Prince is demanding $22 million from internet users he claims enabled the free distribution of recordings of his gigs.

The defendants, who are mostly anonymous, are accused of engaging in “massive infringement and bootlegging of Prince’s material”, include recordings of concerts dating back to the ’80s.

Bootlegged concerts mentioned in the lawsuit include his 24 March, 2011 performance in Charlotte, North Carolina and a 10 April, 1983 concert in Chicago.

While some of the websites are general interest download sites, like World of Bootleg and NPR Universe, others are specifically aimed at Prince fans, like Purple House and Funky Experience Four.

In addition to asking for $1 million from each of the accused bootleggers, Prince is seeking any profits generated from from the material plus interest and legal fees.

Prince made enemies with the internet long ago, of course, and has been a spoilsport about his fans’ online endeavours repeatedly – in 2012 he shut down a Thunderbirds-style puppet tribute to himself.

In happier news, last week he announced a ‘Hit and Run’ tour of London venues, starting at singer Lianna La Havas’ house. [via Guardian]