Rejecting a petition by Universal Music Group (UMG) and its Geffen Records label, the U.S. Court of Appeals for California is allowing Courtney Love to proceed with her legal challenge to a state labor code as part of her lawsuit against the companies, Billboard Bulletin reports. A section of Love's suit against the companies challenges California's "seven-year" statute, saying it is unfair because it binds recording artists to contracts longer than those of other workers. The companies took the petition to the Appeals Court following a Los Angeles Superior Court judge's ruling that Love's claim can be heard. The latter court has set a new trial date of June 11; the original date was April 2. In December 1999, Love, citing contract and royalty issues, stopped recording for UMG. The following month, UMG and Geffen sued Love, seeking millions of dollars in damages for five undelivered albums.