Kayne West pleads not guilty in battery case

KANYE West has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor battery and attempted grand theft in a case filed over a scuffle with a celebrity photographer earlier this year.

Attoey Blair Berk entered the plea on the rapper's behalf on Thursday in a Los Angeles court.

West was charged with two misdemeanors in September over a July altercation with paparazzo Daniel Ramos at Los Angeles Inteational Airport.

Prosecutors declined to file felony charges against West, but decided to pursue the misdemeanors.

Each carries a penalty of up to six months in jail or a $US1,000 ($1,050) fine.

Ramos claims West punched him in an unprovoked attack and wrestled his camera to the ground on July 19.

West's case is due back in court on January 23.