SMASHING PUMPKINS - CORGAN SPEAKS OUT ABOUT VIRGIN LAWSUIT

CORGAN SPEAKS OUT ABOUT VIRGIN LAWSUIT

LATEST: SMASHING PUMPKINS frontman BILLY CORGAN has accused bosses at their label Virgin Records of allowing firms to use the band's name and music for promotional purposes, despite knowing they had no right to do so. The reunited rockers filed suit against Virgin on Monday (24Mar08), claiming the use of their name and image in a Pepsi promotion has damaged the band's credibility with fans. In the legal papers, the group says they have "worked hard for over two decades to accumulate a considerable amount of goodwill in the eyes of the public" and the adverts threaten their reputation for "artistic integrity". Virgin bosses put out Smashing Pumpkins' music for more than 17 years, but the only active agreement between the two parties, the lawsuit claimed, is a deal granting Virgin permission to sell digital downloads of the band's songs. The agreement does not give Virgin the right to use the band in promotional campaigns to sell outside products, the lawsuit said. And Corgan insists the label heads were aware of the terms of their agreement when they negotiated the deals. He says, "I'm sure they indicated to Pepsi that they had a right to do this, full well knowing they do not have the right. "You're going to see more of this playing fast and loose with the rules, hoping they don't get caught. At face value, it's not a large deal. But in terms of precedent it is, because there will be much more of this coming."