The Ellen DeGeneres Show Sued over Copyrights by Record Labels

The newly appointed "Idol" judge, Ellen DeGeneres, is having her daytime talk show sued by a group of the biggest record labels. DeGeneres's show is known in part for her dancing through the audience. Labels allege that over 1,000 songs have been used during this segment of the show without the licensing being paid, according to Billboard.biz.

On September 9, papers were filed at a U.S. District Court in Nashville, Tenn. According to the suit, the response to the prosecutor's question of why permission was never sought was that they didn't "roll that way." Billboard.biz also reports the show may owe a lot of money for the hundreds of songs that have been used. A rep for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" hopes that the issue can be settled with record labels on "amicable and reasonable terms."

Some songs include the late Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations." Ironically, Sony Music Group, the home of Jive and RCA records, is where "American Idol" winners usually begin their career.