UMG, COURTNEY FEEL THE LOVE

After months of wrangling—and an admission by Love 10 days ago on Howard Stern the suit was resolved—the rock diva has settled her legal disputes with the company, it was officially announced by UMG.

As part of the settlement, Love and other members of the Kurt Cobain estate—including former Nirvana members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic—have granted the company permission to release new packages from the band. A compilation album, now expected to be a single disc, is expected to come out before the end of the year. UMG also plans to release a box set and a rarities album.

Last week, "You Know You’re Right," the last-known recording from the band and a key element in the suit, popped up on the Internet and was aired on KROQ L.A. and KNDD Seattle. It will be included on the greatest-hits album coming out in the fourth quarter.

UMG has agreed to waive any rights to future recordings from Love, with ownership of unreleased Hole recordings reverting to Love. In addition, UMG will waive the company’s re-recording restriction for previously released Hole material. Love also has the option to release a longform Hole video with UMG under a separate new agreement.

Courtney is currently in the studio recording a new album, with the first single to be released in January by Poptones Records in the UK. UMG will receive a royalty override on some of Love’s future recordings and an autographed picture of Frances Bean.

Commented Love: "I’m excited to be releasing music again and rock music is starting to become very fun again. I plan to continue my advocacy of artists in Sacramento and Washington, where this belongs. I look forward to joining my fellow recording artists as we look for solutions to the problems we face in the music business. We must all work together through lobbying and collective bargaining to create the opportunities that have been lacking in our careers."

She also praised her manager James Barber: "This would not have been possible without [his] effort. He was able to work with the other members of Nirvana to negotiate a long-term plan that will protect my family’s legacy."

Added UMG President/COO Zach Horowitz: "We’re glad that we have resolved this amicably and wish Courtney well in all of her future endeavors… Have the locks on the doors been changed yet?"

Love plans to record in the U.K. and France after finishing up sessions in Los Angeles. She is presently writing with former 4 Non Blonde and Pink collaborator Linda Perry and preparing for the role of Lady Macbeth in Luc Besson and Vincent Regan’s production of Macbeth.