Alexandra Hainsworth has taken former New Zealand record label Do It Management and music distributor The Orchard to court, alleging copyright and contract breaches as well as unpaid royalties.
The British-Australian pop singer filed the case through her company, Inspire Create Pty Ltd, in the High Court at Auckland. The Orchard is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment.
According to documents seen by Stuff, Hainsworth entered into an agreement with Do It Management in March 2022 for the promotion, publishing, and distribution of her music in New Zealand. Under the agreement, she was reportedly entitled to 50% of profits after expenses.
Hainsworth alleged that Do It Management failed to properly track and pay her royalties. Do It Management reportedly disputes the claims.
The dispute escalated in late 2024, with Hainsworth later seeking to terminate the agreement. She also claimed that her catalogue was removed from Spotify without her permission after legal proceedings began.
The singer’s most-streamed track, 'Fighter', has accumulated more than 1.4 million Spotify streams. Her manager Victor Paul said she has released 27 tracks to date.
Hainsworth told Rolling Stone Australia/New Zealand that the legal dispute has also prevented her from releasing new music, including two tracks made with Brazilian producer VINNE.
“I’ve got two tracks that were supposed to be out like a year ago,” she said. “These are excellent tracks that need to be going out there in the world, but I haven’t been able to do it.”
Hainsworth said the case has since reached a memorandum stage before a judge in the High Court.
Asked what she hopes to get out of the proceedings, she told Rolling Stone: “Just being able to be a normal musician again.”
Unmixed later reported that Hainsworth’s proceedings specifically name The Orchard Enterprises NY, Inc., and alleged that royalties have been withheld while new releases have remained blocked for more than 20 months.
The Orchard declined to comment to Unmixed, while a lawyer understood by Stuff to be acting for the company said he was “not interested in commenting”.
The case remains before the High Court at Auckland.
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