GaGa's LeLegal TrTroubles

Fresh from her prison stint in the video for “Telephone,” Lady Gaga could soon be headed to court — not to face any number of angry grindhouse filmmakers whose works inspired that video, but a lawsuit from a songwriter and producer who says he’s the one who gave her that famous stage name.

The Associated Press reported that Rob Fusari, who helped write Lady Gaga songs including “Paparazzi” and “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich,” filed a $30.5 million lawsuit against the singer, saying she has frozen him out of her career as she has become more successful.

Mr. Fusari, who has also worked on hit songs like Will Smith’s “Wild, Wild West” and Destiny’s Child’s “Bootylicious,” said in his suit that he was first introduced to the singer Stefani Germanotta in 2006, helping to guide her from a rock musician to a dance artist and nicknaming her Lady Gaga, from the Queen song “Radio Ga Ga.”

He said he had received more than $600,000 from Lady Gaga but had not received his full share of song royalties, merchandising revenue and other fees. Representatives for Lady Gaga have not yet responded to the suit, which was filed in a state court in Manhattan.

Jeff @ NOW2K