The Goo Goo Dolls have given legal notice to Metal Blade Records that they will no longer record for the label, which is distributed by Warner Bros. Records. They're entering into discussions with other record companies and music publishers. The band's contention is that they've been signed to a grossly unfair and unenforceable contract and they will not perform under it any longer. Despite selling 2,100,000 copies of their 1995 album "A Boy Named Goo," they reportedly have not received one penny in royalties.

Moreover, the total advances the band pocketed during this eight-year period is well under $100,000. It is the band's contention that Metal Blade is attempting to enforce against the band a contract beyond seven years which is not permitted by California law. On a $13.00 record sold in the U.S., the band earned (after producer royalties) approximately 25 cents. This is less than 30% of what a typical new artist would earn. Beyond this, Metal Blade, in its original agreement, reportedly had a clause enabling company control and partial ownership in songs written by members of the Goo Goo Dolls which they have just now discovered in their contract.

The band's 1987 self-titled debut on Celluloid was sold to Metal Blade after the master was stolen from Celluloid's office and the band still hasn't been paid any money in connection with the, perhaps illegal, distribution of this album. Their attorneys are asking Warner Bros. Records and Virgin Music publishing to pay the band directly and not Metal Blade.