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  Backstreet Boys Sued by Former Keyboardist Over Songwriting Credit and Royalties. 


03-18-02 antiGUY

Tommy Smith, the former keyboardist for the Backstreet Boys  filed a lawsuit, last Friday (3-15), against the group, their publishing companies and management company, Zomba Entertainment, Inc. 

In his lawsuit, Smith claims that he has not been properly credited for songs he co-wrote for the Backstreet Boys� last studio album, �Black & Blue�. Smith says that he co-wrote �The Answer To Our Life� with Backstreet Boy Nick Carter and is entitled to 50% of all rights to the song, including publishing and royalties, as well as half ownership of the copyright. Smith also says in his lawsuit that he is entitled to a 33.33% share of the song �Time�, which he claims to have co-written with Guy Walker and Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell 

Smith is seeking compensation for the licensing of the music in question as well as damages and attorneys fees. Smith played keyboards for the Backstreet Boys from 1996 until 2000. He is currently the keyboard player for Backstreet Boys clones, O-Town. 

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