Pitbull wins court battle over axed Australia shows

Pitbull has won a legal battle with an Australian promoter who accused him of failing to show up for a 2008 concert.

The hip-hop star, real name Armando Cristian Perez, was hit with a breach of contract lawsuit from Suave Productions after cancelling gigs in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth in December 2008.

However, a judge Down Under ruled on Wednesday (17Oct12) that Pitbull was within his right to pull out of the dates because he was not paid on time.

The Supreme Court heard that Pitbull entered into a deal with Suave bosses to be paid $60,000 for the shows, including a $30,000 deposit.

The balance was to be paid on 25 November (08) - seven days before the star was due to travel to Australia - but he did not receive the full amount in time.

The Give Me Everything hitmaker was eventually given $50,975 on 3 December, when he insisted it was too late for him to fly.

Explaining his decision, Justice Robert Beech-Jones said, "The departure date of 2 December, 2008 was pivotal to Pitbull completing this tour. Once it came unstuck, Pitbull's opportunity to undertake that tour was over."

According to the Australian Associated Press, the issue of costs will be handled at a later date.