Grammy winner Bruno Mars (Peter Gene Hernandez) has filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court to have his contract with his publisher Bug Music, Inc. declared over. The singer alleges he has fulfilled his contractual requirements and, under contract law, he is free to sign with another publisher.

Mars claims the contract was completely fulfilled as of May 12, 2011 and Bug Music failed to exercise its option to extend the contract within the specified period. Therefore, Bug Music is not entitled to exercise that option now.

Mars initiated the suit because Bug Music allegedly refused to acknowledge the expiration of the contract with Mars. Mars's attorney claims that Bug Music initially acknowledged that Mars had fulfilled his obligations and that Bug Music understood it would have to officially extend its option in order for the contractual relationship to continue. Upon hearing that Mars actually intended to move in Bug Music, the suit alleges, the company reversed its position and claimed that Mars had not fulfilled the minimum release requirements. As of this week, Bug Music still listed Mars as a client.

Bruno Mars has seen enormous success since crossing over from lyricist to performer in 2010. His debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans was nominated for three Grammy awards, an ASCAP award, a BET award and a Billboard Music Award, among others, and rose to No. 3 on the Billboard 200. His single "Just the Way You Are," he won the 2011 Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Source: Reuters, "Bruno Mars Sues His Publisher," Joshua L. Weinstein, Aug. 30, 2011