Prince Sues His No. 1 Fans
Two months ago, we told you about Prince suing YouTube, eBay, and BitTorrent site Pirate Bay for enabling the piracy of his music. We suggested, as politely as we possibly could, that perhaps the elfin former superstar should take a lesson from Metallica, salvage some dignity, and try to avoid legal tussles over fans sharing his music.
Well, apparently Prince was listening, but somehow he's found another way to alienate the music aficionados who love him. Instead of suing file sharers, he's now going after his most popular fan sites for posting pictures of him, album art, and lyrics to his songs. Needless to say, this isn't exactly what we had in mind.
Really, this sort of self destructive insanity shouldn't be too shocking, since it comes from a guy whose rider on a recent tour supposedly included dark chocolate, black rooms, an oxygen bar and three sexy girls. Even so, we still can't help but be amazed by the continued audacity of the washed-up funk star.
This time however the fans are fighting back. Prince is already seeing the beginnings of a backlash similar to that which Metallica faced following its decision to sue the users of Napster. Three of the most popular Prince fan sites, Prince.org, Houseqake.com, and Princefams.com have joined forces to create Prince Fans United, an organization dedicated fighting the lawsuits based on the doctrines of fair use and free speech.
These Web sites, along with several others, have "received notices to cease and desist all use of photographs, images, lyrics, album covers and anything linked to Prince's likeness," and been told to provide "substantive details of the means by which you [the fansites] propose to compensate our clients [Paisley Park Enterprises, NPG Records and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)] for damages..." The demands go as far as mandating that the sites pull down pictures fans have taken of their own tattoos, as well as photos of their Prince-inspired license plates.
Prince Fans United hopes that Prince and his army of lawyers will reconsider, but we figure it's highly unlikely seeing as it's obvious he's lost his damn mind.
See our gallery of Prince's fan sites here.
Gallery: Prince's Fan Sites
From BBC
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 13)
Granny J @ Nov 7th 2007 12:36PM
Ya gotta wonder about these "celebrities" who get so full of themselves that they forget all about who it is that made them popular in the first place.
bret @ Nov 7th 2007 12:44PM
Purple Douche
mickey @ Nov 7th 2007 2:33PM
I'm surprised he's doing this, after giving away his latest Cd's at concerts, etc. He's still popular because he's a great performer, but his last album mostly sucked and the 2 before that were only ok. Prince, you're lucky to still be relevant. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
David @ Nov 7th 2007 3:58PM
When you're out of touch and boring, you'll do anything to get publicity. The only one he impresses is himself!
amanda @ Nov 7th 2007 4:38PM
I have never liked prince. And now I have another reason not to. He forgets that all these people buy his cd's and download his music. Way to go buddy.
Kat @ Nov 7th 2007 5:12PM
Prince should form a band with Lars Ulrich and call it the Washed Up Whiney Douchebags.
What a couple of losers. I have tons of Metallica as well as Prince music on my laptop...and didn't pay a penny for any of it.
Scott @ Nov 7th 2007 5:28PM
Prince is a pompous, self-righteous a--hole. I used to think he was a brilliant artist. Now he's turned into nothing more than a selfish, bitter old queen. Take your stupid songs and records, purple d*ck, and hole yourself up in your ridiculous recording studio with them, and enjoy the rest of your ridiculous life without your "fans."
Amanda @ Nov 7th 2007 6:14PM
wow. seriously? this man is so INTO himself. his pride, his ego, his self-righteous little rampages of, "DONT WORSHIP ME THAT WAY WORSHIP ME MY WAY, WITHOUT PICTURES!" are truly revolting. i didn't have a problem with him before but what a vain, selfish, self-serving man. he really thinks he's something. he really thinks he's worth more than he is. SORRY PRINCE, WE KNOW YOU HATE YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU'RE SO SHORT AND THE ONLY LADIES YOU GET WITH ARE WASTED/PAID HEAVILY/MIDGETS/ FLAT OUT GOLD-DIGGERS and sorry a lot of people have stopped caring about you.. you are getting attention but you are gaining enemies and rejection, you douchebag. sue me, prince. please! i think i said your name out loud once!
Scott @ Nov 7th 2007 6:16PM
Makes perfect sense, Kat. You're a big fan, you have all his music, yet didn't pay for it. Now why would anyone holding a Federal Copyright on their own artistic creation get made when their livlihood gets stolen ? Oh wait that's right, since new technology makes it OK to steal, then everything is fine.
Ron @ Nov 7th 2007 6:17PM
QUIT HATING!, Prince is still the best entertainer, musician, and showman, in the last 30 years. The idiot who wrote this article clearly showed his bias, maybe out of jealousy. The man has a right to market his image and his music. I have been following his music since I was a teenager, and I am proud to say, I have purchased ninety percent of his Albums, CD's, and downloads Legally. QUIT HATING!!!!
Sharp Black Metal @ Nov 7th 2007 6:32PM
Prince does have a legal right to decide how his image and music are distributed, but going after his fans with such venom is like biting off
his nose to spite his face. Back in the days of Purple Rain and Sign o' the TImes, I was a super fan (posters all over my walls, etc...) but I haven't been a fan of any of his music after Diamonds and Pearls. I think that this shitty power move on Prince's part is going to come back to bite him in the ass. He hasn't had a hit song in years, so I would think that he would be happy that fans are still crazy about him.
Martin @ Nov 7th 2007 6:33PM
In answer to the question "Why"? Because he formerly had an income and wants another one?
Keith @ Nov 7th 2007 6:39PM
I can understand suing over the music piracy and use of copyrighted material without consent. I am disappointed that he would sue NON-PROFIT fan sites, though. If anything, they are promoting his artistry and business for free.
BTW, Kat you and anyone else downloading music on-line without paying for it are thieves.
Doug @ Nov 7th 2007 6:45PM
Although I don't agree with his tactics, his music is copyrighted and he has a right to receive payment for it. People like Kat brag about how they have all this music and didn't pay a dime for any of it. You are a thief, plain and simple. I owned and operated a chain of record stores in southern California and had to close in 2003 primarily due to thiefs like Kat and others who think that life is free.
Jonathan @ Nov 7th 2007 6:53PM
Scott says: Makes perfect sense, Kat. You're a big fan, you have all his music, yet didn't pay for it. Now why would anyone holding a Federal Copyright on their own artistic creation get mad when their livlihood gets stolen ? Oh wait that's right, since new technology makes it OK to steal, then everything is fine. 11/07/07 6:16 PM
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From one songwriter to another - AGREED !!!
Jonathan
PaulChristenson @ Nov 7th 2007 6:56PM
Prince who?
E @ Nov 7th 2007 6:59PM
All of them should immediately take down all of the sites that pay any tribute to him. They should then have their heads examined for idolizing such a self absorbed piece of work. The guy is a waste fo time if he is acting like that.
Tim @ Nov 7th 2007 7:00PM
Never liked that little purple pansy ass anyway.
Jackie Maddox @ Nov 7th 2007 7:08PM
Prince is suing those that own these websites;
and he should. You dumb sh-ts. I'm sure there is enough free prince pictures and what ever out there..these people using his pictures and info are making money off you people everytime you view the site..duh...ok he's washed up...I bet he has more money than any of you could ever imagine in your life.
Brenda English @ Nov 7th 2007 7:16PM
He is really getting too old for the type of show he puts on. Isnt he about 50? He is just a little bit creepy and a whole lot full of himself. I think he is just plain sad.