Singer Paul Simons sues Georgia company

Paul Simon wants a musical clock distributor from Georgia to ease his mind by not using "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The singer-songwriter sued Rhythm USA Inc. in federal court in Manhattan today. Simon claims the company never got his permission to sell wall clocks that play the famous tune. The Georgia-based subsidiary of a Japanese manufacturer is being asked to pay ten million dollars in damages. There was no immediate response to messages left with Atlanta-based Rhythm USA. A company Web site says its parent company, Rhythm Watch Co. Ltd., was established in 1950 and has sold about 20 million clocks worldwide. The suit alleges that since 2003, the company has distributed more than 40,000 wall clocks that play renditions of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." It claims the composition could command at least a $1 million licensing fee.

(Associated Press)