Rick James Estate Sues California Publishing Company

California-based Brooklyn Music Publishing Group Inc has been accused of collecting money and publishing the music of 80’s”Punk Funk” superstar Rick James sans permission. Dozens of James’ compositions, though not the late funk singer’s biggest hit, “Super Freak,” were involved in the suit, filed this past March in Superior Court in Los Angeles. James’ estate has settled a lawsuit for an undisclosed amount before a trial was to begin Jan 7. James served a term in prison for a drug charge and suffered drug addiction throughout his career. He succumbed to heart failure at 56 in 2004.