Fox sues record label in dispute over 'Empire' title; network wants to keep name of hit show

Fox is suing a record label in a dispute about the use of the word "Empire" as the title of the network's newest hit show.

Twentieth Century Fox Television filed the lawsuit Monday in Los Angeles, seeking a judge's order that the network can continue to use the title "Empire" for its series starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.

The lawsuit states that the San Francisco-based record label Empire Distribution Inc. has demanded as much as $8 million from Fox. Empire Distribution claims the show's title is creating confusion with its artists and that the network should either pay or change the title.

Empire Distribution's attorney Michael D. Hobbs Jr. did not immediately return a phone message.

The suit was first reported Tuesday by The Hollywood Reporter.