Detroit - Hip-hop artist Eminem's copyright administrators have sued Apple Inc. for copyright infringement, unfair competition and violation of consumer protection laws, over the company's alleged unauthorized sale of downloads of his songs from the iTunes Store, the Associated Press reported.

The lawsuit was filed by Eminem's publisher, Eight Mile Style, and copyright manager, Martin Affiliated, in U.S. District Court in Detroit on Monday, and involves 70 to 80 songs.

"We request that any provider that's offering downloads license it through the publisher," Eight Mile Style administrator Joel Martin told AP.

"Apple is not accounting to us. They are accounting to Universal (Music)."

The artist's representatives are seeking more than $75,000 for copyright infringement, unfair competition and a violation of the Michigan consumer protection act, in addition to damages of up to $150,000 per infringement for each time an Eminem song has been downloaded from the iTunes Store.

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/39sus4 (AP)

http://www.eminem.com