Performing Artist Vanessa Hudgens Wins Key Ruling in the event that Against Music Producer: A music producer violated the terms of an agreement he had with "High School Musical' star Vanessa Hudgens that settled an earlier lawsuit he filed against her, a judge ruled today. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Malcolm Mackey granted the actress' motion asking that Johnny Vieira be found in breach of the written accord and that judgment be entered against him.

Vieira represented himself in the case, but did not show up for today's hearing or file any opposition to Hudgens' motion. Hudgens' lawyer, Christopher F. Wong, declined to comment on today's ruling. The legal disputes between Hudgens and her former mentor began in August 2008 when he sued her, alleging she breached a contract between them and owed him $5 million for helping start her career. Vieira maintained he was the one who saw something special in Hudgens when he heard her sing at age 16 with a girls' group.

He claimed the agreement called for him to equally share in advances, royalties and merchandising from Hudgens' career before she was cast in "High School Musical", but that she later turned her back on him. The two settled the first case last year.

Hudgens filed her own lawsuit in July 2009, alleging Vieira breached the terms of the settlement by engaging in "false advertising' and making "misrepresentations to the public concerning an alleged ongoing business relationship' with her. Vieira allegedly refused to turn over photographs of the 21-year-old actress, longtime girlfriend of actor Zac Efron.