Battle over Billy T

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Billy T James's widow says she is "appalled" at Sony Music Corporation for stonewalling attempts to recover royalties from a bestselling tribute DVD.

Lynn Matthews accused Sony of disrespecting her late husband's memory in a copyright dispute over tracks on The Comic Genius of Billy T James.

Sony thought it had permission to use six tracks on the DVD after reaching an agreement with the Billy T James Family Trust.

Matthews and Cherie James, Billy T's daughter, are the only beneficiaries of the trust.

But Matthews says she owns the rights to the tracks separately and is considering legal action to claim royalties and damages of more than $1million.

Matthews leased the rights of some of James's work to Pagan Records to license on her behalf.

In a written statement, Sony's general manager of legal and business affairs Raani Costelloe said the issue stemmed from James's work belonging to several rights holders.

The DVD has been one of New Zealand's best-selling titles since December 2008.