Post by valerie davenport on Nov 10, 2007 10:38:12 GMT -5
Ain't nothin' like real Four Tops, High Court rules
STEPHEN HOWARD
THE Four Tops, the legendary Motown act, yesterday won a High Court battle of the bands when a judge made an order stopping another group using their name in performances, recordings or publicity.
The Four Tops vocal ensemble began their legal action a year ago against Viscount Oliver Miller, who toured the UK for several years under the name Viscount Oliver's Legendary Four Tops.
Mr Justice Warren declared invalid the trademark "Viscount Oliver's American Dream The Legendary Four Tops".
He also awarded damages to be assessed and ordered Miller to pay for the necessary publicity to warn fans and promoters about the same-name band.
One of the founding members of The Four Tops, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, said of the ruling: "Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby!"
Their solicitor, Adam Roberson, stated that the Four Tops had been touring for more than 50 years and had built up an enormous amount of goodwill throughout the world.
"Today's ruling was important for The Four Tops because it permitted them to protect their legacy in the United Kingdom," he said. The solicitors said that Miller had never been a member of The Four Tops, nor had he ever performed or recorded with them.
Miller's publicity materials misled venue managers and the general public into believing that his group was, or was associated with, the real Four Tops, they said.
Mr Justice Warren said he was satisfied Miller had been guilty of passing himself off as a Four Top.
The Four Tops are touring the UK with the Temptations until 23 November.
They signed to Motown in 1964 and their hits have included Baby I Need Your Loving, Same Old Song, I Can't Help Myself, Reach Out and I'll Be There and Standing in the Shadows of Love.
STEPHEN HOWARD
THE Four Tops, the legendary Motown act, yesterday won a High Court battle of the bands when a judge made an order stopping another group using their name in performances, recordings or publicity.
The Four Tops vocal ensemble began their legal action a year ago against Viscount Oliver Miller, who toured the UK for several years under the name Viscount Oliver's Legendary Four Tops.
Mr Justice Warren declared invalid the trademark "Viscount Oliver's American Dream The Legendary Four Tops".
He also awarded damages to be assessed and ordered Miller to pay for the necessary publicity to warn fans and promoters about the same-name band.
One of the founding members of The Four Tops, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, said of the ruling: "Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby!"
Their solicitor, Adam Roberson, stated that the Four Tops had been touring for more than 50 years and had built up an enormous amount of goodwill throughout the world.
"Today's ruling was important for The Four Tops because it permitted them to protect their legacy in the United Kingdom," he said. The solicitors said that Miller had never been a member of The Four Tops, nor had he ever performed or recorded with them.
Miller's publicity materials misled venue managers and the general public into believing that his group was, or was associated with, the real Four Tops, they said.
Mr Justice Warren said he was satisfied Miller had been guilty of passing himself off as a Four Top.
The Four Tops are touring the UK with the Temptations until 23 November.
They signed to Motown in 1964 and their hits have included Baby I Need Your Loving, Same Old Song, I Can't Help Myself, Reach Out and I'll Be There and Standing in the Shadows of Love.
