Following a copyright lawsuit which filed by ASCAP against a restaurant's owner, Bruce Springsteen has taken off his name from the association since he doesn't want to get involved in the case.
- February 5, 2010
AceShowbiz - Bruce Springsteen has removed his name from an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers [ASCAP] lawsuit against the owners of a New York bar, insisting he was never asked if he wanted to be a part of it. ASCAP officials have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Connolly's Pub & Restaurant, claiming the venue's bosses charged customers a fee to hear a band perform three of Springsteen's tracks in August 2008 - and failed to pay an annual licensing fee for the use of the tunes.
ASCAP is responsible for collecting royalties and distributing the money to artists. Springsteen was named among the plaintiffs, but the rocker was unaware of the lawsuit - and doesn't want to be a part of it.
A statement from the Boss' representatives reads, "ASCAP was solely responsible for naming Bruce Springsteen as a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Bruce Springsteen had no knowledge of this lawsuit, was not asked if he would participate as a named plaintiff and would not have agreed to do so if he had been asked. Upon learning of this lawsuit... Bruce Springsteen's representatives demanded the immediate removal of his name from the lawsuit."
According to the New York Daily News, Connolly's owners allowed a band to play three Springsteen songs at the venue without paying ASCAP their dues. The owners face a hefty fine if found guilty.
