Motley Sued
Band handed lawsuit over copyright infringement
Motley Crue have been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit over an image they used for their Too Fast For Love album and which has subsequently appeared on various items of merchandise over the past 30 years.
Sleaze Roxx reports that the band, along with concert promoter Live Nation, are being sued by Ron Toma, who claims he owns the rights to the photograph, which was taken by Michael Pinter in 1981 and shows a close-up of a man wearing a belt and leather trousers.
The image features on sweatshirts sold on the band's website, and Toma has filed papers in Illinois Northern District Court accusing the two parties of using the image without permission, according to TMZ.com. He is asking a judge to block the use of the snap on any merchandise without prior authorisation.
It’s not been the best week for the band after frontman Vince Neil was sentenced to 15 days in jail after being convicted of driving under the influence.