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Post by Emerald City on May 8, 2006 5:42:22 GMT -5
Supremes' Wilson aims to knock out the knockoffs
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Mary Wilson has an itch in her heart. But it has nothing to do with the love she sang about as a member of the Supremes in 1966.
The singer wants once and for all to protect the legacies -- and livelihoods -- of the Supremes, Platters and other legendary groups from their knockoff counterparts. To date, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and North Dakota have passed into law the Truth in Music Advertising Act that Wilson promotes as chairwoman of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame's artist board.
The act stipulates that if a performer was not part of the original recording group, that person is prohibited from booking and performing concerts and club appearances under that name. Authorities can issue fines of up to $50,000.
The bill sits on governors' desks waiting for signatures to become law in Connecticut and Illinois. Several other states, including New Jersey and Massachusetts, also are weighing the matter.
The goal, Wilson notes, is to build awareness by securing the legislation in at least 10 states before taking the issue to the federal level.
Bogus performers touring the United States and Europe certainly are not anything new. But with legendary acts relying on tour profits instead of record sales to make a living these days, the situation takes on added urgency.
The sour note hits home for Wilson, who knows of five faux Supremes groups. One imposter act working in Europe even accepted a lifetime achievement award in the Supremes' name.
"These people are defrauding the public; this is identity theft," Wilson says. "We make our money touring, and these people are taking gigs from us. And some promoters don't care. If they can pay less for the bogus group than the original, they'll do it."
Wilson performs as Mary Wilson of the Supremes; Motown Records owns the trademark on the act's name. She notes that Las Vegas sports several versions of such classic acts as the Platters, Drifters and Coasters. Members of these groups -- some still performing in their 70s and 80s -- as well as acts like Sha Na Na and Danny & the Juniors are singing the advocacy chorus with Wilson.
"We want these fake groups to say they are tribute groups or get their own name," Wilson says. "Why steal our legacies? After all your hard work, no one should be able to come and take your history."
Reuters/Billboard
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Post by timmy84 on May 8, 2006 11:01:18 GMT -5
And that's why in spite of everything, I have respect for Mary for what she's doing. These people watching the shows shouldn't be jinxed into thinking they're seeing the real thing when they're not.
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Post by Emerald City on May 8, 2006 17:39:13 GMT -5
I hear that ... it really isn't fair these fakes are being permitted to take money out of these folks mouths ... they don't have any conscience and should be prepared to get whatever's coming
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Post by timmy84 on May 8, 2006 17:51:54 GMT -5
For real. :yeahbaby:
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Post by rainymourning on May 8, 2006 19:08:56 GMT -5
Supremes' Wilson aims to knock out the knockoffs
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Mary Wilson has an itch in her heart. But it has nothing to do with the love she sang about as a member of the Supremes in 1966.
The singer wants once and for all to protect the legacies -- and livelihoods -- of the Supremes, Platters and other legendary groups from their knockoff counterparts. To date, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and North Dakota have passed into law the Truth in Music Advertising Act that Wilson promotes as chairwoman of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame's artist board.
The act stipulates that if a performer was not part of the original recording group, that person is prohibited from booking and performing concerts and club appearances under that name. Authorities can issue fines of up to $50,000.
The bill sits on governors' desks waiting for signatures to become law in Connecticut and Illinois. Several other states, including New Jersey and Massachusetts, also are weighing the matter.
The goal, Wilson notes, is to build awareness by securing the legislation in at least 10 states before taking the issue to the federal level.
Bogus performers touring the United States and Europe certainly are not anything new. But with legendary acts relying on tour profits instead of record sales to make a living these days, the situation takes on added urgency.
The sour note hits home for Wilson, who knows of five faux Supremes groups. One imposter act working in Europe even accepted a lifetime achievement award in the Supremes' name.
"These people are defrauding the public; this is identity theft," Wilson says. "We make our money touring, and these people are taking gigs from us. And some promoters don't care. If they can pay less for the bogus group than the original, they'll do it."
Wilson performs as Mary Wilson of the Supremes; Motown Records owns the trademark on the act's name. She notes that Las Vegas sports several versions of such classic acts as the Platters, Drifters and Coasters. Members of these groups -- some still performing in their 70s and 80s -- as well as acts like Sha Na Na and Danny & the Juniors are singing the advocacy chorus with Wilson.
"We want these fake groups to say they are tribute groups or get their own name," Wilson says. "Why steal our legacies? After all your hard work, no one should be able to come and take your history."
Reuters/Billboard
A great cause if you ask me, and the promoters should be fined right along with the fakes. I hope it all works out :thumbsup: |
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Post by fantagurl on May 16, 2006 16:39:48 GMT -5
Supremes' Wilson aims to knock out the knockoffs
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Mary Wilson has an itch in her heart. But it has nothing to do with the love she sang about as a member of the Supremes in 1966.
The singer wants once and for all to protect the legacies -- and livelihoods -- of the Supremes, Platters and other legendary groups from their knockoff counterparts. To date, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and North Dakota have passed into law the Truth in Music Advertising Act that Wilson promotes as chairwoman of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame's artist board.
The act stipulates that if a performer was not part of the original recording group, that person is prohibited from booking and performing concerts and club appearances under that name. Authorities can issue fines of up to $50,000.
The bill sits on governors' desks waiting for signatures to become law in Connecticut and Illinois. Several other states, including New Jersey and Massachusetts, also are weighing the matter.
The goal, Wilson notes, is to build awareness by securing the legislation in at least 10 states before taking the issue to the federal level.
Bogus performers touring the United States and Europe certainly are not anything new. But with legendary acts relying on tour profits instead of record sales to make a living these days, the situation takes on added urgency.
The sour note hits home for Wilson, who knows of five faux Supremes groups. One imposter act working in Europe even accepted a lifetime achievement award in the Supremes' name.
"These people are defrauding the public; this is identity theft," Wilson says. "We make our money touring, and these people are taking gigs from us. And some promoters don't care. If they can pay less for the bogus group than the original, they'll do it."
Wilson performs as Mary Wilson of the Supremes; Motown Records owns the trademark on the act's name. She notes that Las Vegas sports several versions of such classic acts as the Platters, Drifters and Coasters. Members of these groups -- some still performing in their 70s and 80s -- as well as acts like Sha Na Na and Danny & the Juniors are singing the advocacy chorus with Wilson.
"We want these fake groups to say they are tribute groups or get their own name," Wilson says. "Why steal our legacies? After all your hard work, no one should be able to come and take your history."
Reuters/Billboard
A great cause if you ask me, and the promoters should be fined right along with the fakes. I hope it all works out  I agree with you. Another thing that angers me is the original arists that was a member of these groups can`t even use the name when performing. But yet anyone who had nothing to do with these groups can make money.  |
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Kay
Star
*~*Floever A Star*~*
Posts: 1,326
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Post by Kay on May 24, 2006 19:22:33 GMT -5
A large feat for one woman but it is worth it.
I will admit this is something I respect Mary for :thumbsup:
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Post by timmy84 on May 24, 2006 21:31:40 GMT -5
A great cause if you ask me, and the promoters should be fined right along with the fakes. I hope it all works out I agree with you. Another thing that angers me is the original arists that was a member of these groups can`t even use the name when performing. But yet anyone who had nothing to do with these groups can make money. It never fails. |
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Kay
Star
*~*Floever A Star*~*
Posts: 1,326
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Post by Kay on May 25, 2006 18:26:43 GMT -5
That's another thing, it is quite a number of groups who get ripped off in these situations, so again hats off to Mary for not just doing it for herself, but for groups who came before, during and possibly after the reign of the Supremes |
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Kay
Star
*~*Floever A Star*~*
Posts: 1,326
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Post by Kay on Jul 11, 2006 17:41:07 GMT -5
And here is recent coverage;
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Copycat musical groups will face penalties if they misrepresent themselves as the original artists under a new Illinois law that was championed by Mary Wilson of the Supremes.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed the measure Wednesday, which takes effect in January.
The law will require all live musical performers that use the name, songs and personas of another group to advertise that their act is a salute or a tribute.
Violators could be fined up to $50,000, have any license to perform suspended or be forced to pay damages to the original group or artist.
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame has backed the legislation as part of the "Truth in Music" initiative and is pushing to get similar laws passed in every state. Connecticut and Pennsylvania have already enacted laws.
Wilson called the Illinois law "a wonderful victory" for artists.
"From now on when the public goes to a rock 'n' roll show in the area, they can be sure the artist is the original, and not some rip-off band," she said in a written statement.
Wilson, who sang with Diana Ross in the 1960s Motown trio, visited Illinois lawmakers in January and urged them to approve the legislation. She said she has filed several civil lawsuits against groups claiming to be the Supremes. But she lost all the cases "because there were no laws to protect me."
Bob Crosby, president and CEO of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, says the legislation will give artists "long overdue respect, protect artists' legacies and give hope to the vocal group artists that have suffered identity theft."
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Post by Motown Honey on Jul 11, 2006 19:50:35 GMT -5
This is a great cause ... Hope it's passed nation and even worldwide ... It's a shame
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Post by Diamond Girl on Jun 2, 2007 14:20:00 GMT -5
Law hits Las Vegas 'fake' bands Nevada has become the latest US state to make it illegal for musicians to falsely claim they are connected to well-known groups. Bands must now call themselves 'tribute' acts unless they have at least one member historically linked to the original. The law covers Las Vegas, which is renowned for its live entertainment. Mary Wilson of The Supremes lobbied for the law after unsuccessfully suing five other acts performing as the group. Surviving stars from The Drifters, Sha Na Na, and other bands also welcomed the move. Authenticity Platters star Sonny Turner said: "Nevada is the entertainment capital of the world, so this was one of our major goals." Maxine Porter, manager for original Drifter Bill Pinkney, said: "In a town like [Las Vegas], where you have a constant flow of tourists, this is a place where people expect to have authenticity. "You don't need to see the Drifters advertised on three different marquees," she said. She added that she hoped to see the bill become law in at least 20 US states by the end of the year. If bands make false claims, it will be considered as deceptive trading practice under the new legislation. Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Illinois are among the other states with similar legislation. Story from BBC NEWS: news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/6711073.stmPublished: 2007/06/01 10:23:13 GMT © BBC MMVII |
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Post by Emerald City on Jun 4, 2007 20:49:13 GMT -5
Still putting up the fight...way to go Mary...Perhaps they should have started in Vegas first  lol...but the important thing is it's working  |
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