Prince has dropped a $22 million lawsuit against bootleggers of his material which saw the pop star tackling 22 individual offenders to the sum of $1 million each.

The lawsuit, which was filed earlier this month (January) accused the defendants of participating in "massive infringement and bootlegging of Prince’s material", specifically picking out a set from 1983 which was shared via WorldOfBootleg.blogspot.com.

However, according to reports, Prince has now dropped the lawsuit. According to legal documents filed in federal court in California and obtained by TMZ has now decided to dismiss his lawsuit. The dismissal is, however, without prejudice, which means he could refile the suit at any point.

Meanwhile, earlier this month (January 24), Prince teased new song 'PRETZELBODYLOGIC' with a 30-second clip which can be heard above. The new music follows confirmation that he would be making his live comeback with a series of gigs in and around London called the Hit & Run Tour in support of forthcoming album 'Plectrumelectrum' - the first record to feature his new band 3rdeyegirl.

The exact dates of the gigs will be announced during a press conference at singer Lianne La Havas' house on February 3. Prince has stated that the dates will take place at "iconic venues" in and around the capital, although details as to where are yet to be unveiled. The singer struck up a friendship with Prince during an American tour of her 2012 debut album 'Is Your Love Big Enough?'.