Star sues Bat Out of Hell writer
The two Bat Out of Hell albums have sold 48 million copies
Rock star Meat Loaf is suing the man who wrote his most famous song in a row about who "owns" the title.
The musician claims he - and not Jim Steinman - should hold the rights to the phrase Bat Out of Hell.
Two multi-platinum albums were released under that name and another is due in October. But Mr Steinman maintains Meat Loaf has no right to use it again.
Mr Steinman wrote and produced the second album and was due to work on the third before the pair fell out.
Meat Loaf - whose real name is Marvin Lee Aday - is claiming more than $50m (£26.7m) in damages and has also named his manager David Sonenberg in the case.
'Blackmail'
He claims both are trying to disrupt the release of Bat Out of Hell III.
"This contention is blackmail and a hold-up," his complaint alleges.
The first Bat Out of Hell was released in 1977, with a sequel coming 16 years later.
The two albums sold a total of 48 million copies worldwide, according to the legal action.
Neither Mr Steinman nor Mr Sonenberg was available for comment when contacted by the Associated Press news agency