Sued [rp with
claire_simms ]
Schroeder couldn't believe it. Seven years of harassing people from behind a counter never landed him in this position. Neither did making his opinion a little too well known at times. No, it was his passion for music, something he never thought would land him in trouble that lead him to this position. He frowned as he read the letter in front of him.
Dear Mr. Shroeder,
It has come to my attention that you are using a certain ancestor's likeness and popularity to gain notoriety for your band. At present, the band is called The Ludwigs, prints t-shirts with a portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven in the center, and have a number of songs alluding to his compositions, most notably, one entitled "The Fourth Movement". While there is no copyright for music published before 1923, what you have done is go far beyond copyright infringement. You are using someone else's name and work for you own benefit and it must stop. You are hereby being sued. I am leaving the contact information of my lawyer for yours.
Sincerely,
Mariella Beethoven
This was completely ridiculous. She may not even be an heir. The only child Beethoven had was a nephew he gained custody of. He knew the copyright law mentioned as well and was certain to look it up before proceeding to write his songs. He had assumed that it extended to the name and pictures as well, but he couldn't be sure.
After looking up the number online, he dialed Chang, Poole, and Schmidt and waited.
- Mood:
crappy


Comments
Claire picked up the phone, "This is Claire Simms....how can I help you?"
"I am being sued. In my opinion the claims made are absolutely insane, but I'm no lawyer. I need legal advice at the very least, can you help me?"
He wasn't sure how much to say or even where to begin. "A woman is claiming that I am using Beethoven for personal gain. She says it isn't about the music copyright, but because of the name of my band and use of his image on shirts."
"I thought everyone used Beethoven for personal gain. I guess according to her those little plastic busts of him they sell at concert halls have the same problem?"
"Who is she? And why does she feel she has authority to file a complaint Mr.---?" She could tell she was out of practice with new clients, she forgot to ask this one's name.
He stopped to address her hanging question. He hadn't thought about introductions. "Schroeder. I don't have a first name so I assume I would still be a Mr. Schroeder."
He drummed his hands on the table in front of him, thinking. "She keeps threatening with the suit, how do I make her go away other than telling her to stuff it?"
OOC: Sorry for the late tag! RL has been nuts lately!
"Only ones that aren't rubber." She paused, "I'll write the letter, and send it off. If I get a response from her attorney, that says they're going forward with the suit, then we'll talk money. If she's going to drop the suit, let me into one of your shows free."
"Done. That's easy." He lifted a hand to his glasses, adjusting them against his nose. "...you're certain about this?"
OOC: End here?