Currently wowing fans across Australia on her Monster Ball tour, New York pop sensation Lady Gaga (real name Stefani Germanotta) has responded to the ex-boyfriend who hit her up last week with a AUS$34 lawsuit over songwriting royalties – by filing her very own lawsuit.
The “Paparazzi” singer has filed a countersuit against former lover Rob Fusari, claiming she was tricked into the deal she signed and she’s already provided him with “unlawful compensation”. According to the New York Daily News, Gaga says the contract she signed with the producer back in 2006 – an agreement which, he claims, proves he helped create the title ‘Lady Gaga’ and co-wrote four songs which appeared on her 2008 album The Fame – was illegal. Papers filed by the singer’s lawyers state that the agreement was “structured in such a way as to mask its true purpose – to provide to the defendants unlawful compensation for their services as unlicensed employment agents.”
Gaga is now seeking damages from producer Fusari, accusing him of taking advantage of “inexperienced performing artist”. “Rob was no more of an ‘agent’ for her than she is a Roman Catholic nun,” reckons Fusari’s lawyer.
A former bassist with Gaga and the third co-writer credited on the song “Disco Heaven” says that he hasn’t received any royalties from the song as yet – but that he won’t be suing anyone. “I don’t wanna sue anybody. It’s really not my style,” Tommy Kafafian admits.