Metallica Sue Canadian Band over E, F Chords - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

merkerguitars · 07-16-2003, 10:44 AM

Linky

MONTREAL — Metallica are taking legal action against independant Canadian rock band Unfaith over what they feel is unsanctioned usage of two chords the band has been using since 1982 : E and F.

"People are going to get on our case again for this, but try to see it from our point of view just once," stated Metallica's Lars Ulrich. "We're not saying we own those two chords, individually - that would be ridiculous. We're just saying that in that specific order, people have grown to associate E, F with our music."

Metallica filed a trademark infringement suit against the indie group at the US district court for central California on Monday. According to the drummer, the continued use of the two chords causes "confusion, deception and mistake in the minds of the public".

Metallica's lawyer, Jill Pietrini, told us that the band decided to take legal action only after first sending a letter of complaint to the Canadian band's singer/songwriter, Erik Ashley.

"We sent a demand letter and haven't reached a resolution, so we had to sue," she said. "They continue to shamelessly feature the two chords on their website song samples and we just can't have that."

Ashley, in the meantime, is still shocked by the entire story, and hasn't yet decided how the band will respond.

"I thought it was a prank at first," he told us. "Now I'm not sure what to think."

Ulrich states that he's not trying to prevent Unfaith from using the two chords, only that he feels Metallica should be credited for them whenever used, and is calling for 50% of all revenue generated from any song using them.

"It's nothing personal against them," he added. "We intend to enforce our rights with any band intending to use Metallica-branded chords in the future."

This marks the first time anything of this kind has ever been tried in court, and it will be interesting to see how things develop.

Metallica's website has issued an official statement on the suit here.

Unfaith's official website hasn't officially responded at print time.

—Joe D'Angelo
____________________________________________________

This is just sad......I don't know what to say

Daval · 07-16-2003, 10:47 AM

Screw Metallica. I've been losing respect for them more and more every day.

I checked out Unfaith's website and listened to a few song samples. Although there are some similarities Unfaiths material has its own sound. I think I may go BUY the CD and DOWNLOAD Metallica's and share it for the world to get free.

lurkette · 07-16-2003, 10:47 AM

Is this a joke?

Are they out of their minds?

Halx · 07-16-2003, 10:50 AM

This is getting obscene. I love Metallica's music (read: Old Metallica), but I am QUICKLY getting fed up with them as a band.

Jim Kata · 07-16-2003, 10:53 AM

Like those bastards don't have enough money already!!! I wish someone would sue the fuck out of them for once.
At least this gives the other band some publicity.

Phaenx · 07-16-2003, 10:57 AM

Shut your face and make a new album boys.

billege · 07-16-2003, 11:00 AM

I was just reading about this. I did check out the Unfaith website, so I would have an informed opinion.

Metallica is not credible at this point.

There is only a similarity in Unfaith's music if you've just read about a supposed similarity and you are straining to hear one.
Only a fool, a really stupid fool, would confuse Metallica and Unfaith.

Also, the idea that one can own two chords really disgusts me. One can own lyrics, no arguement there. One can own an arrangement of chords that we like to call a "song." However, one can not own two chords in a sequence. Imagine the fallout from that thought. Think about drumbeats..."Hey I own the 2 beat on the bass drum, then beat on the snare." "Pay me."

There has obviously been too much drug and alcohol use in Metallica's life, evidenced by this insanity.

The band has been striving to maintain some relevancy in the public's mind, but I am sad to say that this is one more sad chapter, in one sad story.

Metallica is officially irrelavent.

platypus · 07-16-2003, 11:11 AM

This is joke, guys. Don't get your knickers in a twist.

ScoopThis is a parody site in the vein of The Onion.

Check out the link to Metallica's 'website'. It's another page hosted on scoopthis.

Halx · 07-16-2003, 11:13 AM

I feel so abused

rat · 07-16-2003, 11:42 AM

lol. i got a kick out of it either way

blindside · 07-16-2003, 11:43 AM

first napster, now E and F? lars has got to be either the dumbest person I've heard of or a great business man

spectre · 07-16-2003, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by platypus
This is joke, guys. Don't get your knickers in a twist.

ScoopThis is a parody site in the vein of The Onion.

Check out the link to Metallica's 'website'. It's another page hosted on scoopthis.

I saw this linked in chat before I saw it here and thought it was a great parody.

07-16-2003, 11:58 AM

When i read this, i thought - no way. glad to see it's a farse. Fark mods should be more careful about post tagging..

Charlatan · 07-16-2003, 12:19 PM

Clever...

butthead · 07-16-2003, 12:21 PM

Haha, it's funny because anyone could easily believe this were true. That's so pathetic, but since it isn't true I'm going to stop my grudge at the newer albums and the Napster shit.

juanvaldes · 07-16-2003, 01:12 PM

Same "story" over in Tilted Music.

MSD · 07-16-2003, 04:27 PM

I'm going to copyright the phrase, "You're really short" because I've come ot be associated with it over the years. Sixate can join in for joint ownership of th phrase, but otherwise, you all have to pay me when you say it.

07-16-2003, 10:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Metallica Sue Canadian Band over E, F Chords Linky MONTREAL — Metallica are taking legal action against independant Canadian rock band Unfaith over what they feel is unsanctioned usage of two chords the band has been using since 1982 : E and F. "People are going to get on our case again for this, but try to see it from our point of view just once," stated Metallica's Lars Ulrich. "We're not saying we own those two chords, individually - that would be ridiculous. We're just saying that in that specific order, people have grown to associate E, F with our music." Metallica filed a trademark infringement suit against the indie group at the US district court for central California on Monday. According to the drummer, the continued use of the two chords causes "confusion, deception and mistake in the minds of the public". Metallica's lawyer, Jill Pietrini, told us that the band decided to take legal action only after first sending a letter of complaint to the Canadian band's singer/songwriter, Erik Ashley. "We sent a demand letter and haven't reached a resolution, so we had to sue," she said. "They continue to shamelessly feature the two chords on their website song samples and we just can't have that." Ashley, in the meantime, is still shocked by the entire story, and hasn't yet decided how the band will respond. "I thought it was a prank at first," he told us. "Now I'm not sure what to think." Ulrich states that he's not trying to prevent Unfaith from using the two chords, only that he feels Metallica should be credited for them whenever used, and is calling for 50% of all revenue generated from any song using them. "It's nothing personal against them," he added. "We intend to enforce our rights with any band intending to use Metallica-branded chords in the future." This marks the first time anything of this kind has ever been tried in court, and it will be interesting to see how things develop. Metallica's website has issued an official statement on the suit here. Unfaith's official website hasn't officially responded at print time. —Joe D'Angelo ____________________________________________________ This is just sad......I don't know what to say __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

07-16-2003, 10:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
Daval Junkie Location: The True North Strong and Free!	Screw Metallica. I've been losing respect for them more and more every day. I checked out Unfaith's website and listened to a few song samples. Although there are some similarities Unfaiths material has its own sound. I think I may go BUY the CD and DOWNLOAD Metallica's and share it for the world to get free. __________________ "It is impossible to obtain a conviction for sodomy from an English jury. Half of them don't believe that it can physically be done, and the other half are doing it." Winston Churchill

07-16-2003, 10:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
lurkette My future is coming on Moderator Emeritus Location: east of the sun and west of the moon	Is this a joke? Are they out of their minds? __________________ "If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France

07-16-2003, 10:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	This is getting obscene. I love Metallica's music (read: Old Metallica), but I am QUICKLY getting fed up with them as a band. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

07-16-2003, 10:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
Phaenx The Northern Ward Location: Columbus, Ohio	Shut your face and make a new album boys. __________________ "I went shopping last night at like 1am. The place was empty and this old woman just making polite conversation said to me, 'where is everyone??' I replied, 'In bed, same place you and I should be!' Took me ten minutes to figure out why she gave me a dirty look." --Some guy

07-16-2003, 10:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jim Kata Swollen Member Location: Northern VA	Like those bastards don't have enough money already!!! I wish someone would sue the fuck out of them for once. At least this gives the other band some publicity.

07-16-2003, 11:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
billege Watcher Location: Ohio	I was just reading about this. I did check out the Unfaith website, so I would have an informed opinion. Metallica is not credible at this point. There is only a similarity in Unfaith's music if you've just read about a supposed similarity and you are straining to hear one. Only a fool, a really stupid fool, would confuse Metallica and Unfaith. Also, the idea that one can own two chords really disgusts me. One can own lyrics, no arguement there. One can own an arrangement of chords that we like to call a "song." However, one can not own two chords in a sequence. Imagine the fallout from that thought. Think about drumbeats..."Hey I own the 2 beat on the bass drum, then beat on the snare." "Pay me." There has obviously been too much drug and alcohol use in Metallica's life, evidenced by this insanity. The band has been striving to maintain some relevancy in the public's mind, but I am sad to say that this is one more sad chapter, in one sad story. Metallica is officially irrelavent. __________________ I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence: "My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

07-16-2003, 11:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
platypus Essen meine kurze Hosen Location: NY Burbs	This is joke, guys. Don't get your knickers in a twist. ScoopThis is a parody site in the vein of The Onion. Check out the link to Metallica's 'website'. It's another page hosted on scoopthis. __________________ Out the 10Base-T, through the router, down the T1, over the leased line, off the bridge, past the firewall...nothing but Net.

07-16-2003, 11:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	I feel so abused __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

07-16-2003, 11:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
blindside Tilted Location: NorCal	first napster, now E and F? lars has got to be either the dumbest person I've heard of or a great business man

07-16-2003, 11:58 AM	#13 (permalink)
smithja0423 Guest	When i read this, i thought - no way. glad to see it's a farse. Fark mods should be more careful about post tagging..

07-16-2003, 12:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Clever... __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

07-16-2003, 12:21 PM	#15 (permalink)
butthead Loser Location: SF Bay Area, CA	Haha, it's funny because anyone could easily believe this were true. That's so pathetic, but since it isn't true I'm going to stop my grudge at the newer albums and the Napster shit.

07-16-2003, 01:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
juanvaldes Banned Location: shittown, CA	Same "story" over in Tilted Music.

07-16-2003, 04:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	I'm going to copyright the phrase, "You're really short" because I've come ot be associated with it over the years. Sixate can join in for joint ownership of th phrase, but otherwise, you all have to pay me when you say it.