Piracy

Within the entertainment industry, there is a growing market for tribute acts. This expanding phenomena is growing by leaps and bounds on both sides of the Atlantic and has in many ways become the prime source of revenue for many agent, promoters, and upstart artist. The question one might ask is where do these acts cross the line when it becomes obvious an invasion of copyright and trademark rights is apparent. According to wiki Pedia A tribute act is a music group, singer, or musician who specifically plays the music of a well-known music act - sometimes one which has disbanded, ceased touring or is deceased. Probably the largest class of tributes acts is Elvis impersonators, individual performers who mimic the songs and style of Elvis Presley. However, most tribute acts are groups (tribute band or tribute group) and are tributes to a group. For example, The Iron Maidens are an all-female band that pays tribute to Iron Maiden. A tribute band does not include members of the original band whose music is being honored. If a member is included in a band performing the music of their original group, the band is seen as a spin-off band rather than a tribute band. However, guest appearances do occur. Many tribute bands, in addition to playing the music of an artist or group, also try to emulate the vocal styles and overall appearance of that group, to make as close an approximation as possible. However, in some cases the tribute act consciously introduces a twist on the original act. For example, Dread Zeppelin plays Led Zeppelin songs in a reggae style with a lead singer dressed up as Elvis Presley while Gabba performs the songs of ABBA in the style of The Ramones. Then there are the pirate outfits who maliciously take the name of original groups and unsuspecting to much of the public past themselves as the real article claiming to have members that have served in a given period with the group. This growing scourge has become lately a serious problem for many of the great acts who have come out of the early years such as the 50s 60s and 70s. You might call it and outright looting of the fortunes that should have gone to the real members of these acts, yet help none other but the looters themselves. Try and picture musical groups such as The Drifters who over the years have had as many as 60 members or more. Out of this, a number of spinoff groups have emerged. From this scores of hybrid acts from which the only claim is they worked with an original member or had some association. They now tote the title Tribute yet Tribute is in small letters and The Drifters is posted boldly on their promotional material. Then there are the outright pirates who with no regards for trademark rights and false claims being that of one or more of the members within the historical line of the act hoodwinks the public into thinking they have legitimacy.This is nothing but piracy.

(CORNER TALK REPORT) by Butch Leake