The rocker Meat Loaf is suing his former songwriting partner for trying to claim the rights to the phrase “Bat Out of Hell,” the popular title to his hit album series, according to Meat Loaf’s counsel.

Songwriter Jim Steinman – who penned the original song – claims he should be the only one to use the phrase in connection with music.

The announcement of the suit comes just as Meat Loaf is about to release his third album of the series, the Steinman-less “Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose.”

In a federal lawsuit, Meat Loaf – whose name is listed in the action as Michael Aday – said the “Bat” expression had been associated with him since the 1977 release of his “Bat Out of Hell” album. The lawsuit claims defendant Steinman wrongly claims ownership of the phrase.

Whatever happens, there’s big money to be made in “Bats.” The debut album and its 1993 follow-up, “Bat Out of Hell II,” sold 48 million copies worldwide, according to the lawsuit, which seeks damages of more than $50 million.

“SURVIVOR’ SICKY

First, nudist Richard Hatch tries to fleece the IRS. Now, the Vanuatu winner plays hooky.

“Survivor”-winner Chris Daugherty was suspended from his job at the Ohio Department of Transportation after he took an unauthorized leave of absence.

Daugherty won $1 million in 2004 for “Survivor: Vanuatu, Islands of Fire.” He returned to his $34,000-a-year job, working roads in central Ohio, for the steady paycheck and benefits.

Ohio DOT suspended Daugherty for 20 days without pay last Friday. Investigators said he used a bogus medical excuse to leave work for a month last fall to attend a promotional tour for the TV show in Europe.

Daugherty, 35, initially requested leave to go on the trip but was denied because he had used all but 29 hours of his vacation days, sick leave and personal time, officials said. Last month, Daugherty said stress from his job and his contract with CBS made the time off necessary and that the leave of absence was unpaid.

NO SLIM SHADY TONES

Eminem’s grooves won’t be available on the Web for ring tones. At least, not soon.

The company that publishes the Detroit rapper has settled a lawsuit filed in what it said was an effort to illegally sell the Grammy-winning rapper’s songs as cell-phone ring tones.

Michigan-based Eight Mile Style and Martin Affiliated filed the lawsuit last October in U.S. District Court against five companies. And won.

The lawsuit asked for an order to prohibit the companies from illegally selling Eminem song ring tones on the Internet.