The White Stripes are in a legal tussle with a former producer over unpaid royalties.

Jim Diamond co-produced the band's eponymous debut album and mixed the follow-up album De Stijl, and now claims he deserves royalties for helping to "shape the band's career".

Jack and Meg White deny the claims, adding that he was paid $35 an hour for his studio work.

Diamond has taken his case to trial, which is expected to last about a week.