When Prince upped his web presence in 2013, we thought that this meant he had softened his hardline stance against sharing his music on the internet. Evidently this isn't the case, since the Purple One has reportedly launched a massive lawsuit in which he is suing 22 internet users for $1 million each.
The defendants, most of whom are anonymous and referred to only by their online user names, are accused of participating in "massive infringement and bootlegging of Prince's material." According to the 21-page suit, which was filed on January 16 in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco by Prince Rogers Nelson, they used Facebook and/or Blogger to share links to file-sharing services with bootlegged live shows.
In addition to seeking a million from each defendant — for a total of $22 million — the papers indicate that Prince is demanding any profits from the material, plus interest and legal fees. Furthermore, the defendants would be banned from engaging in any further alleged violations of Prince's rights.
Read the documents here.
This isn't the first time that Prince has taken legal action against internet-using fans. In 2012, his lawyer filed a cease and desist order against a fan art project.
Thanks to Spin/Antiquiet for the tip.
The defendants, most of whom are anonymous and referred to only by their online user names, are accused of participating in "massive infringement and bootlegging of Prince's material." According to the 21-page suit, which was filed on January 16 in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco by Prince Rogers Nelson, they used Facebook and/or Blogger to share links to file-sharing services with bootlegged live shows.
In addition to seeking a million from each defendant — for a total of $22 million — the papers indicate that Prince is demanding any profits from the material, plus interest and legal fees. Furthermore, the defendants would be banned from engaging in any further alleged violations of Prince's rights.
Read the documents here.
This isn't the first time that Prince has taken legal action against internet-using fans. In 2012, his lawyer filed a cease and desist order against a fan art project.
Thanks to Spin/Antiquiet for the tip.