Boy George and Culture Club take on Virgin over royalties

Boy George and the other former members of Culture Club have started legal action against Virgin Records for six years' worth of royalties they say they are owed.

The singer, real name George O'Dowd, and other band members Jon Moss, Michael Craig and Roy Hay, claim they have been paid only half of their entitlement from worldwide sales.

They have lodged a writ in the High Court alleging Virgin failed to account properly for royalties owed from compilation albums and sales in the United States.

The four musicians are asking for Virgin to be forced to reveal how much they are owed, pay the outstanding money, and pay damages. Virgin is said to have refused to produce books and records to the band's accountants, according to the writ.