Gordon Peterson has filed papers in New York's Manhattan federal court after realizing that Vedder has altered his song and allegedly licensed the track without his permission.
- December 29, 2009
AceShowbiz - Rocker Eddie Vedder is fighting legal action from a Canadian singer/songwriter for changing the lyrics to a song he recorded for the "Into the Wild" soundtrack. The Pearl Jam star recorded Gordon Peterson's tune "Hard Sun" in 2007 for Sean Penn's hit film, but Peterson, who originally wrote the track in 1987, wasn't happy when he heard the finished version - and realized the rock icon had altered the lyrics.
Peterson is now suing Vedder and has filed papers in New York's Manhattan federal court. The suit states, "Vedder altered certain key lyrics of 'Hard Sun'... eroding the integrity of the composition." Executives at Universal Music are also targeted in the lawsuit after allegedly licensing the track without his permission.
Peterson is demanding all profits from the "acts of infringement". However, Vedder's lawyer Gregory Clarick insists Peterson has no grounds for complaint. He tells the New York Post, "We don't see any basis for a copyright infringement claim."
