The White Stripes trial launched yesterday involving a producer who claims he deserves substantial royalties from the duo.

Jim Diamond, the co-producer on the band�s 1999 eponymous debut and sound mixer on �De Stijl�, says he is owed royalties for helping shape the band�s career.

Jack and Meg deny that they owe Diamond royalties and claim that he was paid the fair rate of $35 an hour for his time in the studio.

The Detroit trial, presided over by Judge Avern Cohn, is expected to last about a week.