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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.
From BBC
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Comments
239
Subscribe to commentsclifton52Nov 7th 2007 8:47PM
What a bunch of BS to steal from someone & call yourself a fan.This man supports himself & his family w/his talent.We have no right to steal these efforts from him just because we can. How would you feel if I were a fan of your car could I have it.
JohnNov 7th 2007 8:43PM
Why not just ignore this little purple-dick and let him become even more irrelevant and profitless. Don't buy his stuff.
TracyNov 7th 2007 8:43PM
I'm am so sick of celebrities suing their fans for whatever reason suits them. If it wasn't for us they would be waiting tables or dishing up hamburgers somewhere. These celebrities have more money than they know what to do with and they get bored and find reasons to put themselves back into the spotlight. I'm pretty tired this type of treatment and celebrities in general.
Lucky KnightNov 7th 2007 8:49PM
Glad I saw this article. I bought Purple Rain on cassette years ago.
The other day I was considering buying the MP3 version but now since Prince is suing his fans, I am going to hold off since I do want to possibly be implicated in a lawsuit.
annNov 7th 2007 8:52PM
oh, who cares anyway. he is just a washes-up musician. give the OLD guy a break. he has to get his money from somewhere since no one goes to see him anymore.
DavidNov 7th 2007 8:54PM
"Prince" who?
WEIRD AL YANKOVIC RULES !!!
Jimmy DorseyNov 7th 2007 9:06PM
I think the music stars have no right whatso ever to sue anyone copying their music. Once it is available on the raido it should be available to everyone. I get so sick and tired of these musicians stating how much money they lose due to piracy!
The money they make from concerts and indorsements should be enough to keep them satisfied. Instead of driving the 500,000 thousand dollar Lamborghini let them settle for a 150,000 dollar porche!!!
smh5454Nov 7th 2007 9:08PM
He should have the right to sue....as every American does and his fans have the right to not listen to his music, buy his stuff and pay any attention to the artist formerly known as Prince and now know as Prince or........ WHATEVER!
joe sullivanNov 7th 2007 9:14PM
Hear ye, hear ye.....PRINCE WITH EGO THE SIZE OF TEXAS PEAS ON HIS FANS AS IF FANS ARE AN ENEMY OF TRUE ARTISTS.....It's time the fans turn in their wares, their pics and cd's....and pledge allegience to a TRUE ARTIST...anyone other than SIR PRINCE....
richard handwerkNov 7th 2007 9:18PM
beotch!
richardNov 7th 2007 9:17PM
emperors got no clothes.
my symbol instead of my name.
now back to my name.
gimme a break yo.
Jimmy DorseyNov 7th 2007 9:27PM
Jimmy Dorsey says:
I think the music stars have no right whatso ever to sue anyone copying their music. Once it is available on the raido it should be available to everyone. I get so sick and tired of these musicians stating how much money they lose due to piracy!
The money they make from concerts and indorsements should be enough to keep them satisfied. Instead of driving the 500,000 thousand dollar Lamborghini let them settle for a 150,000 dollar porche!!!
11/07/07 9:06 PM
BADKIDD420Nov 7th 2007 9:33PM
been a prince fan for years but this is unreal. he's lost site of what's really important and when it's all said and done he'll be remembered as a jerk and not the great artist he is. metallica drove off there fans with this crap and so will he. get all the money you can now, cause me and a lot of your other fans are done son.
?Nov 7th 2007 9:34PM
He must need the money cause he hasn't had a chart topping hit since "Diamonds & Pearls" album. What a loser.
NadineNov 7th 2007 9:46PM
PRINCE IS A PIECE OF CRAP.
larryNov 7th 2007 9:47PM
i give up, is this has-been still famous or something?
EdNov 7th 2007 9:50PM
BOYCOTT PRINCE, The HAS BEEN!
merksNov 7th 2007 9:53PM
watch and evening with kevin smith. this will tell you how out of hand this little troll is. he wanted a giraffe in minnesota in the winter time. he is out of control.
DarrylNov 7th 2007 9:57PM
This is not about Prince not allowing his fans to share his music. This isn't me buying a CD and allowing a buddy to listen to it or copy it. This allow's an unlimited number of people to steal his work. And to suggest he should do nothing is stupid. There is obviously a story behind this that's not being told. One thing for sure. Anyone who has a problem with this, is someone without vision and who has nothing to lose. If you worked all of you life to own property and you allowed someone to move in thinking they would be paying you for it and they didn't you would say, pay, move, or be sued. You have a right to do that. You worked hard for it. It's not just about someone having a roof over their heads. It's about your right to profit from your hard work. Prince's music is his home. You can't just move in without paying. I'm sure he appreciates that you like it, but, enough is enough.
KayNov 8th 2007 12:11PM
Prince is far from washed up!! You guys are delusional!! He is still THE MAN thats why he can get away with stuff like this. He has the highest grossing tour ( the one from last year) in history...Oh yeah hes washed up with numbers like that...IDIOTS!