Courtney Love's rock band, Hole, have confirmed they have split up.

The group won acclaim and fame for Love outside her marriage to Nirvana star Kurt Cobain, but had been dormant since releasing their last album in 1998.

They were one of the most popular but raw and angry bands to come out of the United States grunge scene, with hits including Doll Parts and Celebrity Skin.

I will always treasure the time we played together Courtney Love

Love has been locked in a copyright battle with record label Universal, claiming her record contract was too long and too strict.

"Courtney Love and [guitarist] Eric Erlandson announced today that they will no longer record or tour together as Hole," a statement on their website said.

"I will always treasure the time we played together," Love said. "Eric has been an important part of my family for over 10 years and he'll continue to be a part of my life."

Formed in Los Angeles in 1989, the band were loud, intense and alienated when they began.

Love married Cobain in 1992 and the band's line-up changed, leading to Hole's first commercial success with their more tuneful second album, 1994's Live Through This.

New material

Cobain was found dead four days before the album was released, and two months later Hole bassist Kristen Pfaff died of a heroin overdose.

Love also admitted to heroin use, but rebuilt the band again and released their third and final album, Celebrity Skin, in 1998.

Love announced a new band, Bastard, in 2001, and has also been working on new material with Hole drummer Patty Schemel and ex-4 Non Blondes singer Linda Perry.

She has also built a successful acting career, starring in films including The People vs Larry Flynt and Man on the Moon.