EMPIRE: FOX Sues Rap Label to Protect Hit Show

FOX doesn't play when it comes to protecting its assets -- the network is suing a recording studio that shares a name with the hip-hop drama Empire.

Empire Distribution, which has put out releases from the likes of Kendrick Lamar, N.O.R.E., and Sean Paul, has demanded compensation from FOX, and the network is suing to throw out these demands. The real-life label says it's being hurt because the fictitious label on the show is run by a "homophobic drug dealer prone to murdering his friends." It's asking FOX for $8 million, but will take $5 million if the smash hit can work Empire Distribution artists into the cast.

But FOX says it's simply a money grab. Its lawyers argue that Empire Distribution is relatively obscure, only showing up on the seventh page of Google search results. (TMZ)

Quickies:

•     Empire Distribution is just trying to get a little press, maybe some cash too if they're lucky.
•     Empire Distribution owns the @EMPIRE Twitter handle. That's gotta be worth at least a couple millie.
•     The label should actually be thinking FOX for making its name big.