Agostini/Handout
'The Boss,' a champion
of the little guy, has ordered that his name be taken off a copyright
infringement lawsuit said to have been filed on his behalf by the ASCAP
Someone pulled a fast one on The Boss.
Bruce Springsteen
demanded Thursday that his name be removed from a copyright infringement lawsuit
filed against a Midtown bar.
"Bruce Springsteen had no knowledge of this lawsuit, was not asked if he
would participate as a named plaintiff, and would not have agreed to do so if he
had been asked," his publicity firm, Shore Fire Media, said in a statement.
As the Daily News reported, a suit listing Springsteen as the plaintiff was
filed Wednesday in Manhattan
Federal Court against Connolly's Pub & Restaurant on W. 45th St.
The suit alleged that the bar collected cover charges from customers to hear
a band that performed at least three Springsteen songs - without paying a
licensing fee to the American
Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
A call to the lawyers listed on the suit was referred to ASCAP, which said
that although the suit was filed on behalf of Springsteen, the intent was to
protect the rights of all songwriters.
But Bruce, long seen as a champion of the little guy, apparently wasn't too
keen on his name being used to go after Connolly's for a $2,700 annual ASCAP
fee.
"Upon learning of this lawsuit, Bruce Springsteen's representatives demanded
the immediate removal of his name from the lawsuit," the statement said.
Lawyers for ASCAP could not be immediately reached Thursday and calls to
Connolly's owners were not returned.