Harry Shearer is suing Vivendi

In a video posted on Twitter, Shearer - who played Derek Smalls in the film - said: "Today, I have filed a lawsuit against Vivendi and Vivendi's agents for fraud related to the movie 'This is Spinal Tap'. Filing a claim like this one is neither fun nor easy. Going up against a major multi-national [company] is not nearly as fun as playing too loud in Carnegie Hall.

"But people who are squashed by major corporations can't fight back unless they have significant resources of their own. I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to fight back.

"I think it's important to challenge the status quo, not just for myself but for all my fellow artists, musicians and creators. After all, they depend, for their livelihoods, on a fair return for their hard work."

In the video, Shearer claims that Vivendi - who acquired the film in 1989 - reported a total merchandising income of just $81 (£66) for the 22 years between 1984 and 2006, and that total income from music sales was a mere $98 (£79).

'The Simpsons' voice actor said it was "stunning" that the only people unable to enjoy the film - which follows what life on the road is like for the fictional band rock band Spinal Tap - are the ones who put the work into it, and branded Vivendi's alleged practices as "blatantly unfair".

He said: "It is stunning that after all this time ... the only people who haven't shared Spinal Tap's success are those who formed the band and created the film in the first place.

"Vivendi and its subsidiaries have, at least in our case, conducted blatantly unfair business practices."