(CN) - A composer used a Los Angeles virtual music studio's electronic instruments to make music and sell it to movie studios and music aggregators in violation of copyright, the studio claims in court.
     East West Sounds filed sued its former salesman, Nicholas Phoenix, and his unnamed collaborators in federal court in Los Angeles.
     East West records music and converts it digitally to produce virtual music software. It says it struck a deal with Phoenix to purchase his Quantum Leap sound inventory in 2004.
     That relationship soured, as the parties are suing each other in state court in addition to East West's federal claim.
     According to the federal lawsuit, Phoenix and his corporation, Deepwell Inc., accused East West of breaching the parties' contract by deducting costs from gross royalties, while East West is countersuing for violations of its intellectual property rights.
     East West claims in federal court that Phoenix violated its copyright on virtual pianos, symphonic orchestra, symphonic choir and "stormdrum music."
     Phoenix "incorporated such copyrighted works in such musical compositions and then sold and/or licensed the musical compositions containing some or all of East West Sounds' copyrighted works to third parties, including movie studios and music aggregators," according to the complaint.
     Some of the songs referenced in the lawsuit include "1000 Ships of the Underworld," "Infinite Legends," "Breach of Ran Gor" and "After the Fall."
     East West wants an injunction against the Phoenix's use of its copyrighted work and the return of any electronic files containing its intellectual property, in addition to damages of up to $150,000 per infringement.
     William White, G. Cresswell Templeton III and Patrick Michela of the Los Angeles law firm Hill, Farrer & Burrill is representing East West.