Prince goes copyright crazy

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:19 am

http://www.nme.com/news/prince/32312

Prince launches attack on fan websites

Nov 5, 2007

Lawyers for Prince have ordered several of the superstar's biggest fan sites to remove any image that bears his likeness prompting fans to form a group to fight the demands.

Three websites: housequake.com, princefans.com and prince.org have come together to form 'Prince Fans United' in response to the situation, which even sees demands to remove images of fans' own tattoos.

In a statement on princefansunited.com, the websites' owners believe that it is an infringement of their right to freedom of speech.

"It is our opinion that these threats are not made in an attempt to enforce valid copyright as Prince alleges in his threats, rather we believe they are attempts to stifle all critical commentary about Prince. We strongly believe that such actions are in violation of the freedom of speech and should not be allowed. Prince claims that fansites are not allowed to present any artwork with Prince's likeness, to the extreme that he has demanded removal of fan's own photographs of their Prince inspired tattoos and their vehicles displaying Prince inspired license plates."

It goes on to say:

"The law clearly provides for displaying of images of a celebrity's likeness for newsworthy events or matters that are considered to be public interest. All three websites feel that the photographs and/or likeness displayed on their websites clearly fall within the public interest category. Additionally, the use of photographs is legal based on the fair use doctrine, i.e. the displaying of album cover art, or the collage headers created by website members using a variety of different photographs."

prinny · **Joined:** 31 Oct 2006 **Posts:** 143

ASSHOLE

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

If I remember correctly, Bowie's management pulled something similar a few years back including REPUTED threats of violence.

Simon · **Joined:** 26 Oct 2006 **Posts:** 59451

Weird. You'd think he'd be grateful for the free publicity.

Ven · 13 Jul 2006

You'd also think he'd have lawyers smart enough to know they've got no legal grounds for such a demand.

Rick Grubbs · 03 Oct 2006

wow that's just bizarre.

Dr. Chris Evil · 26 Jul 2006

Yo Prince,

You are no longer selling records like you used to.

You are past your prime.

Be grateful that your fans are paying homage to you at no cost to you.

You should be giving them thanks and praising them for their efforts.

I concur with prinny: Prince you're an..

ASSHOLE!!

Gary Dunaier · 20 Jul 2006

This wouldn't be anything new for him. If memory serves me right, during the filming of Purple Rain the extras, at least, were directed not to even look at him.

Jeff · 05 Oct 2006

His current employees are not allowed to look at him.

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

Dr. Chris Evil wrote:

Yo Prince,

You are no longer selling records like you used to.

You are past your prime.

I agree that's he's way past his prime. Last cd I Loved was Chaos & Disorder, & that was a contract fulfilling vault release.

prinny · **Joined:** 31 Oct 2006 **Posts:** 143

GREAT GUITAR PLAYER..........BUT STILL AN ASSHOLE :roll:

Linda · **Posted:** Fri Nov 09, 2007 9:38 am

Prince finesses the situation a little ...

http://www.nme.com/news/prince/32426

Prince 'not suing fans'

Nov 9, 2007

Prince has released a statement refuting claims that he is suing a number of fansites.

It was reported that lawyers for the singer had ordered several fansites to remove any image that bears his likeness, prompting fans to form a group to fight the demands.

However, a statement released by the singer said: "Prince is not suing his fans, is not looking to penalise fans and nor is he looking to or inhibiting freedom of speech in any way. In fact, he is simply looking to provide Prince fans with exclusive music and images entirely free of charge, and bypassing unofficial and unauthorised phoney fan sites that exploit both consumers and artists.

"The action taken earlier this week was not to shut down fansites, or control comment in any way. The issue was simply to do with in regards to copyright and trademark of images and only images, and no lawsuits have been filed.

"The three sites in question have falsely positioned themselves as representatives of millions of Prince fans. In fact, many have come out in support of Prince at his official site and even on the message boards of the unofficial sites in question.

"Mediation between the parties is currently resolving the matter."

The "offending items" were said to be live shots from Prince's 21 nights in London at the O2 Arena earlier this year.

The statement also spoke out against fansite piracy.

It explained: "Prince is breaking new ground as the first artist to take on the world's largest internet pirates bootleggers, including the notorious The Pirate Bay who have been misrepresenting themselves as a site for 'the fans'.

"They are in fact exploiting copyrighted material for their commercial gain. The site has flouted constant legal notices from artists and corporations throughout the world while cashing in on advertising monies. All the time, they keep up the pretence of being an anarchist, 'free music' fansite when it is really a massive money-making venture."

Prince goes copyright crazy

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