Changes

In September 2003, Reznor, suspecting that Malm had "run [his] finances into the ground," hired an outside business management firm for the first time. Upon confirming accounting and contractual irregularities, Reznor fired Malm in December 2003. On April 21, 2004, Malm sued Reznor for unpaid commissions throughout his career, totaling $2.2 million. The newly sober Reznor counter sued Malm for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud on May 19, 2004. Reznor alleged that Malm took advantage of his addictions and manipulated him into signing unfair agreements, including joint ownership of property and businesses that Reznor never intended, such as the NIN trademarks. During this time, Reznor signed an agreement which Malm claimed that the 1989 Management Agreement entitled Malm to 20% of his Reznor's gross earnings for an indefinite time, including continuing commissions on Reznor's future income derived from contracts signed while the agreement was in force (such as future albums for the Interscope record contract), even if Reznor chose to seek new management. [https://casetext.com/case/reznor-v-j-artist-management]