A federal judge extended until May 22 a temporary order barring a former Prince sound engineer from releasing unpublished recordings by the late artist.
U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina Wright's order, issued Wednesday, did not grant Paisley Park Enterprises' request for a longer term and more substantial injunction against the engineer, George Ian Boxill. He worked for Prince from 2006-2008 and last month sought to publish five of his unreleased songs.
Paisley Park Enterprises, acting on behalf of Prince's estate, sued Boxill in an effort to stop him. The suit alleges that the songs were covered by a 2004 confidentiality agreement Boxill had with Prince.
Wright's order also required Paisley Park to post a $1 million bond no later than 5 p.m. on May 12. If none is posted, the temporary restraining order would be dissolved and Boxill would be clear to release the music.
Her order requires Boxill to deliver all recordings from his time at Paisley Park to the plaintiffs, including originals, analog, digital versions and derivative work. She allows Boxill's lawyers to keep a "forensic" copy of the recordings.
Before the lawsuit, the song "Deliverance" was briefly available online, and iTunes was taking orders for the entire five-song album. Prince, who died a year ago in his home from an accidental overdose of painkillers, sings, plays guitar and keyboards on the songs, according to the lawsuit.
Wright held a hearing on the matter Monday. She issued her first restraining order in the matter on April 19.
Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747
Twitter: @rochelleolson
