Eminem's label to settle over Apple ad

Rapper Eminem’s music label has agreed to an undisclosed financial settlement with Apple Computer Inc in a lawsuit over copyright infringement claims.

In February 2004, Ferndale-based Eight Mile Style filed a lawsuit in US District Court in Detroit against MTV, Apple, MTV’s parent Viacom Inc and advertising agency TBWA/Chiat/Day.

The recording company claimed Apple used one of the rapper’s hit songs in an advertisement without permission.

“The parties were able to reach an amicable resolution,” Howard Hertz, a lawyer for Eight Mile Style and Eminem, said.

Elizabeth McNamara, a lawyer for MTV and Viacom, said that the case was “amicably resolved.”

Both declined to elaborate. A lawyer for Apple declined to comment.

Apple featured a 10-year-old singing Eminem’s Oscar-winning song Lose Yourself in an ad on MTV for the computer company’s iPod music player and iTunes music service.

The television ad appeared many times during three months beginning in July 2003 and on Apple’s website, despite the fact that the computer company had unsuccessfully sought Eminem’s permission for the campaign.

Eminem, 32, who was born Marshall Mathers III, lives in the Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills.