The great rock 'n' roll swindle.

Bono and his supergroup U2 aren't the only Irish rockin' America at the moment.

Music industry bosses have got their opposite numbers over the Atlantic reeling and rocking - with claims of a multi-million pound rip-off.

They say musicians here are losing out on nearly pounds 1million a year in royalties in the US.

And they're spearheading the fight for the lost royalties on behalf of the rest of Europe - which could reap thousands of artists a share in a pounds 20million pay day.

But the Americans have hit back saying the Irish are a nation of bootleggers - allowing the manufacture and distribution of illegal tapes and CDs.

Now it's all-out war. But Irish Music Rights Organisation boss Hugh Duffy, the man at the centre of the row, is coming out fighting.

He claims Irish stars like U2, The Cranberries, Van Morrison, The Corrs, Sinead O'Connor and countless others are all out of pocket.

That's because bars, restaurants and shops in the States which play Irish music to their customers do not pay any royalties.

"The likes of The Cranberries and U2 would get a big share, but everybody would benefit in the long run," he said.

"Airplay spreads the cash around, with newcomers and the big names all benefiting because everybody gets played on the radio."

The organisation calculates that Irish acts are losing out on pounds 1million each year in unpaid American royalties - but that European musicians are losing out to the tune of a further pounds 19 million.

The European Commission has now vowed to investigate the situation after a complaint from the Irish Collection Agency.

And with the backing of the Commission, IMRO is now hoping for a multi-million pound pay day for Irish and European acts.

In Europe any bar, shop or restaurant that plays music to its customers is required by law to pay a licence fee.

That money is then distributed to artists and performers.

The law was tough to enforce, with many proprietors ignoring demands from collection societies.

But recently, shop and pub owners here have been taken to court to enforce payment of the licence fees. And Hugh Duffy says most proprietors now buy the licence with few arguments. Objectors have an injunction taken out against them.

He added: "Anywhere that broadcasts music needs a licence, from hair salons to corner shops."

But while IMRO seems to be sorting out matters at home, America is a tougher nut to crack.

And music bosses in the States have hit back by complaining to the European Union about bootlegging in Ireland.

They counter that US artists are losing out on royalties here because the Irish authorities have not imposed strict penalties on bootleggers.

A well-organised bootlegging business is in operation here, with releases by top name acts being copied and sold on to fans at a knock-down price. These tapes and CDs are openly available on O'Connell Bridge in Dublin and other well-known sites across the country.

A music industry source said: 'These guys are making a small fortune from selling bootlegs at markets around the country.

"The problem is that whenever anybody tries to prosecute them they are fined only a few hundred pounds by the courts and are back at their racket the next day."

But Hugh Duffy believes it is Irish rather than American artists who are losing out because of the bootleggers.

"The tourists are buying Irish music from these guys. The biggest losers are the likes of Christy Moore and Pete St John.

"The Americans keep making these sweeping statements that Ireland is full of bootleggers.

"Let them come over here and document their claims," he argued.