Lil Wayne sues music producer over sampling

Lil Wayne has filed a lawsuit against the producer of one of his songs.

Rapper Lil Wayne is suing the producers of his song I Feel Like Dying, claiming that they failed to obtain permission to use a sample track.

The musician was originally the target of a lawsuit filed by folk singer Karma-Ann Swanepoel, who accused him of copyright infringement.

She claimed that Lil Wayne had used a sample of her track Once on his own song without obtaining any licensing agreements.

A judge in the United States subsequently ordered the rapper to turn over financial records for his latest album Tha Carter III.

I Feel Like Dying was not included on the album's track list, but was released as a download to promote the record. It was also performed in concert.

But Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, claims it was the responsibility of the song's producers Rebel Rock Productions to secure permission to use the sample.

He is therefore filing his own lawsuit against the company, which has not yet responded to the claims made by the musician.

Another of Lil Wayne's songs - Mrs Officer from the album Tha Carter III - is also under the spotlight in a copyright infringement case.

Producer Mali Boy claims the song is similar to a track called Crush that he composed for another artist.

Meanwhile, Grammy award winners Coldplay are facing their own legal battle with Joe Satriani, who argues that the band used "substantial" parts of his song If I Could Fly in their 2008 hit Viva La Vida.

International lawyers representing Coldplay have filed court stating that any similarities between the two tracks are not distinct enough to warrant the payment of damages.