Shady backs off

Eminem has withdrawn his legal action against hip-hop magazine The Source for alleged copyright infringement.

The rapper launched legal proceedings after the magazine distributed several of his early recordings in their January 2004 issue. One of these seemed to make derogatory remarks about black women.

However, speaking yesterday to New York's Daily News, Eminem's lawyer, Donald David, said that all charges against the magazine had been withdrawn because there was nothing else to gain.

He explained: "There is nothing left to win.

"The judge already decided we have the copyright, and he awarded us $131,000 in sanctions. So the case has no purpose anymore."

However, Source founder and co-owner Dave Mays hit back at Donald's comments.

He told the same newspaper: "They want this withdrawal so they can avoid the public embarrassment of having Eminem on trial in New York."

Mays contends that the ultimate fate of the lawsuit will be decided next week when Judge Gerard Lynch rules whether the case has been withdrawn "with prejudice."

The magazine would then be free to publish Eminem's lyrics.

Claiming triumph for himself, he added: "We have been vindicated whichever way it goes."