METALLICA have become the first recording artists to file a copyright infringement suit against the popular Internet file-sharing program Napster. Three major universities were named in the suit as well. The suit was brought Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles by Metallica, their music publishing company Creeping Death Music and E/M Ventures (their joint venture with Elektra Records, the band's label). The complaint accuses Napster, the University of Southern California, Yale University and Indiana University of copyright infringement, unlawful use of a digital audio interface device and violations of the Racketeering Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). One reason Metallica is the first recording act to file suit against Napster is that the group is one of relatively few that owns its own master tapes as well as its own music publishing. Metallica's attorney, Howard King, says that the RICO act was invoked because Napster's file-sharing program involves ongoing multiple violations with multiple conspirators. King said the three universities cited in the suit were those that -- unlike nearly 200 other schools -- had not banned use of the Napster software. (Indiana previously banned Napster's use because it was taking up so much of the campus computer network's bandwidth, but once that problem was resolved, reinstated access to the program.) "It takes more than Napster," King said. "How these universities allow their bandwidth to be used is firmly within their control."
KISS has succesfully defended a 1997 lawsuit filed against the band and PolyGram Records by VINCENT CUSANO (VINNIE VINCENT). Not only were all of Cusano's 14 claims rejected by the California court, he will be responsible for over $80,000 in court costs and attorney's fees incurred by KISS in defending the suit, plus additional sanctions. Vinnie has a spectacular record of screwing himself, doesn't he?
ATELLO is taking a cue from New York city officials who are trading guns for money. "What?!?!?!" you ask... No, they're not giving away firearms (dammit!).... They ARE however, giving away Atello hats in exchange for other band merch...From now until May 11, anyone who sends them a hat with another band or artist's logo on it will get the ATELLO hat in exchange. They're curious too see as to what they'll receive... Send your hat to: ATELLO, PO BOX 60892, Staten Island, NY 10306. As soon as they receive your hat (which is non returnable), they will ship you one of theirs, with an autographed picture as well! So dig out those Warrant & Winger hats & send them to ATELLO...
THE BLACK CROWES and JIMMY PAGE will kick off a summer tour on June 24 in Chicago, Illinois, running concurrently with THE WHO's summer tour (they're sharing production and crew), which will either precede or follow at the same venues and cities throughout the run. Visit www.blackcrowes.com for the full itinerary.
WASP's April 22 show at the Key Club in Los Angeles will be cybercast live via NETCAST at www.onlineconcerts.com. The time: 11:45 PM PT/8:45 PM PT
