Suit over "The Pink Panther Theme"

The late Henry Mancini wrote “The Pink Panther Theme” for the 1963 film and now his publishing company, run by his heirs, is filing a claim against EMI, the publishing company that currently owns the theme.

United Artists released The Pink Panther in 1963, and the score was nominated for an Oscar the next year. EMI Publishing acquired the music from United Artists years ago. Now Mancini’s publishing company filed a claim at the American Arbitration Association for over $1.35 million in “net profits” on music for The Pink Panther movie. Mancini’s heirs are also seeking punitive damages to terminate EMI’s administration rights.

See Eriq Gardner, Henry Mancini Heirs Seek Over $1 Million in Unpaid Profits, Termination of EMI’s Rights to ‘Pink Panther Theme’, Billboard.biz, May 11, 2012.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.