Washington, Aug. 1 (ANI): Apple Computer Inc. has been dragged to court for making rap star Eminem's material available for downloading from its iTunes Music Store without permission.

Eminem's music publisher, Eight Mile Style LLC, and copyright manager, Martin Affiliated LLC, filed the copyright infringement suit U.S. District Court in Detroit on Monday.

The plaintiffs claim that they had not given any permission to Apple Computer Inc. for putting Eminem's stuff online.

"Eight Mile and Martin have demanded that Apple cease and desist its reproduction and distribution and Apple has refused," E!online quoted the lawsuit as reading.

The plaintiffs are demanding more than 75,000 dollars for the alleged copyright violation, unfair competition and violation of the Michigan consumer protection act, and up to 150,000 dollars in damages per download.

Around 70 to 80 songs of the singer are in question, including tracks from 2003's The Eminem Show, which won a Grammy for Best Rap Album and has sold more than 7.6 million copies.

"This is a significant issue in the music industry. This occurs with many artists and many record labels," Eight Mile Style attorney Norman Ankers said.

Record companies that own the recordings generally get about 70 cents or so from every 99-cent iTunes download, and about 9 cents of that is generally earmarked for the publisher, which owns the rights to scores and lyrics.

"Generally, artists want their music sold. We want it downloaded. We request that any provider that's offering downloads license it through the publisher. Apple is not accounting to us," said Eight Mile administrator Joel Martin.

Meanwhile, officials at Apple have refused to comment on the issue.

Earlier in 2004, Eight Mile Style had sued the iPod purveyor, protesting the corporation's use of the Oscar-winning tune "Lose Yourself" in an iTunes commercial. The case was settled for an undisclosed amount out of court. (ANI)