Em's legal battle with record label Universal over royalties from digital downloads is set to go to trial.

Em sued Universal bosses via his F.B.T. Productions company in 2007, challenging how much he is entitled to when the label sells his music to third-party distributors, like Apples Itunes downloading website.

The case could set a precedent for the music industry as hundreds of millions of dollars is potentially at stake for other artists whose songs have been made available for the service. The trial is due to take place in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and will be the first legal test of the competing issues of its kind.

Eminem, who is signed to Dr. Dres Aftermath Records - a subsidiary of Universal/Interscope, will not be present for the court proceedings, but Universal founder Jimmy Iovine, Apple CEO Steve Jobs are among those expected to testify.

Universal is the biggest music company in the world and counts superstars like U2, Jay-Z, Kanye West and singer Akon among its roster of artists.