Rolling Stones lose audit protest

The High Court in London has turned down an attempt by the Rolling Stones to force an audit of their former record label Decca Music Group to unearth what the band claims are unpaid royalties.

Justice Nicholas Pumfrey ruled Friday that under a decades-old agreement between the band and Decca, now a unit of Vivendi’s Universal Music, disputes over royalties should be referred to arbitration, not dealt with in the courts.

The Rolling Stones’ complaint stems from their popular “40 Licks” greatest hits compilation, which included a number of early hits such as “Paint It, Black” and “Sympathy for the Devil,” for which Decca holds the rights.