Richie Ramone Denied Royalties

Richard "Richie Ramone" Reinhardt, who played drums for the Ramones from 1983 to 1987, lost a suit for back royalties he said totaled nearly $1 million.

U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin said in a ruling Friday that a contract Reinhardt signed with the band clearly covered digital use of songs he wrote for the Ramones. The titles include "Smash You,""Somebody Put Something in My Drink,""Human Kind,""I'm Not Jesus,""I Know Better Now" and "(You) Can't Say Something Nice."

The judge noted that the contract defining phonograph records contained the words "now or hereafter known" when referring to forms of reproduction, making it clear that future technologies are covered by the agreement.

It pays to read the fine print, kids.