NY City Ballet sues UK firm over exercise videos

The ballet company, in its suit filed in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, said London-based Palm Pictures has failed to make royalty payments since June 2005 for the two videos.

Calls and e-mails to Palm Pictures' New York offices seeking comment were not returned.

The ballet company, which calls Lincoln Centre its home, agreed with Palm in 2000 and again in 2003 to produce the "New York City Ballet Workout" DVDs and video tapes featuring exercises that are part of its dancers' routines, according to the court filing.

Under the terms of the agreement, Palm was supposed to pay royalties equal to 50 percent of the proceeds, but according to the lawsuit, the British firm has owed the ballet money since June 2005.

Palm, in a February 28, 2008, letter to the New York City Ballet, said it "stands ready, willing and able to account for and pay to the NYCB any monies legitimately owed ..." But the production company rejected the ballet's assertion that it has been "materially misleading and false" in its accounting, the suit said.

The ballet is suing to recoup the royalty payments and terminate its licensing agreements with Palm.

Reuters/Nielsen