* Music: Epitaph Records, the most successful...

* Music: Epitaph Records, the most successful independent record label in the music industry, filed a complaint for declaratory relief Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Offspring, the hottest act on its roster. Epitaph is not suing the quartet, but asking the court to determine whether Offspring is required by contract to deliver one more album to Epitaph. The company and the band have been quarreling over the terms of the contract for about nine months. Sources said Offspring is close to signing a three-album deal with Sony Music. The lawsuit is an attempt to forestall competitors who have been wooing the band.