TVT Records has become the first independent label to file a copyright infringement suit against MP3.com, according to "The Hollywood Reporter.

TVT, whose current roster features Tha Eastsidaz, XTC, and Guided By Voices and whose back catalog includes Nine Inch Nails, filed the lawsuit on Wednesday, May 24 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The label is reportedly seeking $150,000 in damages for each work whose copyright has been infringed by MP3.com.

The Recording Industry Association of America, which represents the five major label groups, filed suit against MP3.com in January. A U.S. Federal Court ruled last month that its Internet music database service, My.Mp3.com, violated copyright law (see [article id="1432447"]"Court Rules MP3.com Violates Copyrights"[/article]).

MP3.com has since removed all music files belonging to the "Big Five" from the service (see [article id="1432446"]"MP3.com

To Pull Plug On Major Label Albums"[/article]).