The great 90’s alternative band Smashing Pumpkins are filing legal charges against Virgin Records, stating that the record company has unlawfully utilized their name and music in promotional transactions that damaged the group’s integrity with fans.
Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the breach-of-contract lawsuit contended that the rockers have “worked hard for over two decades to accumulate a considerable amount of goodwill in the eyes of the public,” and that Virgin’s exploit of the rock group in a “Pepsi Stuff” endorsement with Amazon.com and Pepsi threatens their character for “artistic integrity.”
The record label has buffed out the Smashing Pumpkins’ music for more than 17 years, except for the only active contract among the two sides, the lawsuit contested, was an agreement giving Virgin the consent to sell digital downloads of the group’s music.
The bond did not give Virgin the right to use the rock band in advertising endorsements to sell outside products, the lawsuit said.
The Billy Corgan et all (band members) advised that they would “never grant such authority to Virgin, or any other entity.“
The complaint requests Virgin recompense with the proceeds that were earned in the endorsement, and asks for a restriction aligned with using the Pumpkins’ name or music in the future.
