We're thrilled, and I think it's important and significant that Bruce now owns all of his own music.

Steven Hayes, Bruce Springsteen's Attorney

Pony Express have been told not to sell any more copies of the album, and they must destroy any existing copies.

The ruling was made by US District Court judge Harold Ackerman.

Unreleased

Springsteen's attorney, Steven Hayes, commented: "We're thrilled, and I think it's important and significant that Bruce now owns all of his own music."

Springsteen and Pony Express filed simultaneous lawsuits for the rights to Before The Fame, an album containing around 19 songs composed and performed by Springsteen between 1970 and 1974.

The songs on the album are previously unreleased songs, or out-takes from later albums.

Springsteen: In 1998 was awarded legal costs of �500,000

According to court documents, Springsteen's manager at the time, James Cretecos, kept the recordings for some 20 years, before selling the rights to Pony Express and JEC Music USA without Springsteen's permission.

The two companies then granted copyright to Masquerade music, a British recording company.

Artistic integrity

Masquerade were banned by the High Court in London in December 1998 from releasing the Before the Fame album - a decision which was upheld on appeal this year.

Springsteen had accused Masquerade of pirating the music he first recorded in 1972 before his first album, Greetings From Astbury Park.

Springsteen said Masquerade's attempt to claim ownership of the copyright was an attack on his artistic integrity.

At the time Springsteen said he was simply defending his music. He was awarded legal costs of �500,000.

Ackerman based his final decision of copyright infringement partly on the previous UK court ruling,

Springsteen is now seeking damages according to the profits made by Pony Express from the album, and his own court costs.