ZTT pay half million bill
ZANG TUMB TUUM Records has to foot the estimated £500,000 bill for their unsuccessful legal action to stop Holly Johnson pursuing a solo career, the High Court ruled last week. Andrew Bateson QC, counsel for ZTT and publishers Perfect Songs, asked Mr Justice Whitford not to make any order for costs. He claimed that they had soared after the introduction of thousands of unnecessary documents and unduly lengthy cross-examination of witnesses by counsel for the former singer with Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
But the judge, who last month ruled that Johnson’s contract with ZTT was “nonsensical” and “unreasonable”, rejected the request.
He agreed the hearing last month was “unnecessarily protracted”, but ruled that ZZT should pay the costs because Johnson had successfully defended himself against their attempt to force him to honour his contract.
Johnson is now pursuing a solo career with MCA Records.