Velvet Underground take Andy Warhol to court

Friday, 13 January 2012 17:04

New York rock band the Velvet Underground are taking the Andy Warhol Foundation to civil court over an image designed by the artist for use on the rockers' debut album cover.

The iconic 1967 banana logo, the band says, has been illegally licensed by the Warhol Foundation for use on its own merchandise. The band claims trademark infringement as they see the image as being a major part of their own brand.

Warhol served as manager for the band at the time he designed the image – early editions of which featured a removable peel that revealed the fruit’s flesh beneath it. The banana appeared on the band’s album The Velvet Underground and Nico, which would come to be considered one of rock’s greatest records.

The band insists in its suit that although never officially copyrighted, the image “became a symbol, truly an icon, of the Velvet Underground”.

 The court documents state: “The symbol has become so identified with the Velvet Underground that members of the public, particularly those who listen to rock music, immediately recognize the banana design as the symbol of the Velvet Underground.”

According to the suit, members of the band continuously requested that the Warhol Foundation not license the image to third parties “in a manner likely to cause confusion or mistakes as to the association of Velvet Underground with the goods sold in commerce by such third parties.”

Velvet Underground members are seeking an injunction to disallow use of the image by third parties, unspecified damages, a portion of the profits the Warhol Foundation has seen from its licensing deals and affirmation that the foundation has no copyright interest in the banana image.

The band resorted to legal action after reports indicating that the Warhol Foundation had licensed the image for a line of bags, cases and sleeves meant to sheath Apple iPhones and iPads. Apple is not named in the band’s civil suit.

EMI files suit against Irish state

Friday, 13 January 2012 16:56

The Irish branch of record label EMI is taking the state of Ireland to High Court in an effort to compel it to enforce efforts against illegal music downloads.

Although the Irish government recently promised to issue an order in early 2012 to allow copyright holders the right to force internet service providers to block those sites promoting piracy, EMI records is apparently not waiting for the government to make good on its offer.

On Wednesday, EMI filed suit against the state for failure to correctly apply particular aspects of EU copyright law. The label seems to be concerned that the issue at hand will be further delayed and that the government’s final stand on the matter will not be to the company’s liking.

EMI Ireland chief executive Willie Kavanagh contends that his company should have the right to seek court injunction against internet service providers allowing users free use of piracy sites.

Because EMI has yet to see the promised order from the Irish government, Kavanagh told the Irish Times that he is forced “to believe it’s unlikely to satisfy the music industry’s requirement for injunctive relief.”

Major labels – headed by EMI – have been lobbing the state since 2010 in an effort force it to comply with standards against piracy as set by European law.

In October 2010, High Court Justice Peter Charleston allowed that labels based in the country – EMI, Warner, Universal and Sony – were indeed suffering at the hands of internet piracy, but went on to note that those laws that would block piracy sites were not enforceable in Ireland.

“It is not surprising,” his judgment went, “that the legislative response laid down in our country in the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000, at a time when this problem was not perceived to be as threatening to the creative and retail economy as it has become in 2010, has made no proper provision for the blocking, diverting or interrupting of internet communications intent on breaching copyright.”

Ireland, he pointed out, was not in compliance with European law. The judgment prompted the government to propose a remedy for the problem by early 2012.

Madonna announces album title

Friday, 13 January 2012 16:52

The upcoming studio album from Madonna will be titled M.D.N.A.. The LP will be the first release as part of the singer's newly signed three-record deal with Interscope, and will reportedly go on sale in late March.

“Gimme All Your Luvin,” the first single from the album, features both M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj and will be officially released later this month - just before Madonna’s scheduled performance at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.

The material girl revealed the album title to the Graham Norton Show during an interview set to air on BBC One this Friday. Madonna is also scheduled to appear on the American program Nightline, during which she will discuss the rumored rivalry between her and Lady Gaga.

In a statement, manager Guy Oseary announced: “We couldn’t be happier to work with [Interscope’s] Jimmy Iovine, [Chairman & CEO, Universal music Group] Lucien Grainge and the entire Interscope team. We anticipate a very bright future at our new home.”

Madonna’s Super Bowl performance is rumored to include the new single as well as a few of her classic pop tunes – “Ray of Light,” “Vogue” and “Music.”

The new song leaked to the web in November, much to the Madonna’s disappointment. Bloggers and critics liked the tune, but the singer’s manager tweeted that although Madonna was “very happy with the positive reaction to the demo,” she was also “very upset with whoever leaked the song.”

Oseary tweeted at the time: “Madonna told me this morning: ‘My true fans wouldn’t do this’. Whoever is responsible for the leak, we ask that you please stop.”

He added: “The plan was for new music to come out in the New Year, and yet someone leaked a demo version of a song yesterday. I’m very happy with the positive reaction to the demo, but we are very upset with whoever leaked the song.”

Cher Lloyd to wed hairdresser beau

Friday, 13 January 2012 16:46

After only six months with hairdresser boyfriend Craig Monk, former X Factor star Cher Lloyd is ready to walk down the aisle.

The ''Swagger Jagger'' star denied rumors that she'd become engaged last month, but The Sun reports that the singer has been telling friends about her plans to wed.

An insider told the paper: “Cher’s been telling anyone who will listen that she’s engaged to Craig, despite originally denying the news. She’s head over heels and has been sporting an engagement ring since last month.”

Though she has denied reports of an engagement, Cher hasn’t been shy about how much she digs her 21-year-old man.

“My boyfriend keeps me sane,” the singer told the Daily Mail. “He tells me to keep a grip, he’ll say, ‘You’ve got the best thing ever, realize you are the luckiest person ever.’ He whips me back into shape a little bit.”

The pair, who live together, met at Four Salon in Mayfair - where Craig works - and have been dating since April.

According to Cher, the two spend time bonding every night: “I am a proper geek, I find the most stupid things funny. Me and my boyfriend play the most stupid game that we made up. You know washing tablets you put in your washing machine, we’ve made up this game called Catch the Tablet, and every night we play it.

“I stand on one side of the room and he stands on the other, and then we’ll throw it to see if we can catch it, we’ll throw it high, low, wherever and at the end of the game we’ll see who can throw the tablet into the washing machine. That’s my life! We’re such geeks. He always wins, never me. I got it in there once and I nearly cried.”

Nearly legal Justin Bieber on ‘sex, drugs and swearing’

Friday, 13 January 2012 16:33

The Biebs, who will turn 18 on March 1, wants fans to know he's ''not a kid anymore.'' In new interview with V magazine, Justin Bieber explains what it's like to reach adulthood in the midst of the public eye.

He says: “People need to know I’m not a kid anymore. I’m still learning. I’m not going to try to conform to what people want me to be or go out there and start partying, have people see me with alcohol.”

The “Baby” singer appears to be holding fast to his kiddy-friendly reputation in spite of becoming a grownup: “I want to do it at my own pace. I don’t want to start singing about things like sex, drugs and swearing. I’m into love, and maybe I’ll get more into making love when I’m older. But I want to be someone who is respected by everybody.”

Bieber was recently spotted with fresh ink of a spiritual nature – a tattoo of Jesus on the back of his calf – but insists that he doesn’t consider himself religious. He adds: “I haven’t been to church in a long time.”

Rather than identifying as religious, the teen idol holds tight to some “spiritual” beliefs: “I don’t think I’m religious. I am spiritual. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I believe that he put me in this position, and that I have to always give him the glory he deserves for putting me here.

“But I don’t consider myself religious. A lot of people who are religious, I think they get lost. They go to church just to go to church. I’m not trying to disrespect them – you know, whatever works for you. But for me, I focus more on praying and talking to him. I don’t have to go to church.”

If Bieber is the teen heartthrob of the moment, he still has dreams of a better tomorrow. He tells the American magazine: “Eventually, I want to become the best at what I do. I want to be the best. In the world. I want to be better than anybody that’s ever done it.

“I don’t want people to think of me as just a teen sensation. I want to transition, and become the greatest.”

Aids book by Sir Elton John set for publication

Friday, 13 January 2012 16:28

Sir Elton John is set to become an author - the singer-songwriter's first book, an account of his personal experiences with the global Aids epidemic, will soon be published.

Proceeds from the memoir, Love is the Cure, will go to the Elton John Aids Foundation. Release is set for July to correspond with the Washington DC international Aids conference.

“This is a disease that must be cured not by a miraculous vaccine, but by changing hearts and minds,” the star explained, “and through a collective effort to break down social barriers and to build bridges of compassion.”

Sir Elton hopes the book will help destroy the stigma that surrounds the disease. He added: “Why are we not doing more? This is a question I have thought deeply about, and wish to answer – and to help change – by writing this book.”

In the book, the singer reflects upon those friends he has lost to Aids – and those he knows who survive it. Sir Elton paints a picture of both Queen frontman Freddie Mercury – who succumbed to the disease in 1991 – and teen activist Ryan White.

Sir Elton has long worked to raise funds to benefit the fight against Aids, with his charity raising over £145 million over the last two decades.

Though the 60-year-old superstar has no plans to pen an autobiography, he does have a biopic planned – for which he hopes to cast Justin Timberlake as himself.

The “Rocket Man” singer said recently that JT was at the top of his list for the part in the movie-in-the-works, currently titled Rocket Man.

He told the Los Angeles Times: “He played me before in a David LaChappelle video of ‘Rocket Man’ and was superb.”

The biographical film will detail Sir Elton’s early days as an artist through his chart successes. According to the singer, a director for the movie has already been selected and more will be revealed via official announcement in coming weeks.

Billy Elliot screenwriter Lee Hall wrote the script for the biopic.

Cheryl Cole to duet with Rihanna

Friday, 13 January 2012 16:10

Her days as an X Factor judge may be over, but Cheryl Cole is determined to return to the stage in a big way. Rumor has it that the singer's upcoming album will include a collaboration with Rihanna.

The pair are said to have bonded during those dates last month when Cole acted as Rihanna’s opening act at the London O2.

The two are supposed to record a yet-untitled song when Rihanna returns to the UK next month.

An insider tells the Mirror: “It’s a big year for Cheryl. She can’t wait for her little soldiers to hear the music she’s been passionately working on over the past 12 months. She has struck up a friendship with Rihanna, who recently duetted with Brit star Calvin Harris.

“Rihanna thinks the world of Cheryl and will work on a party remix with her when they meet up on her next visit. The album fuses pop, hip-hop, soul and dance. It already has some party anthems on it but Rihanna’s would get everyone up on their feet.”

The “Fight for this Love” singer hired some heavy hitters to work on her third solo record. In addition to Cheryl’s manager will.i.am, enlisted artists and songwriters include Taio Cruz, Taley Riley, Alex Da Kid and Patrizio Pigliapoco.

“Cheryl’s almost finished her third album and she’s confident it’s her best by far,” a source informed the Daily Star. “She’s just putting the finishing touches to it before a release date is scheduled. But the plan is to have a single out by spring, possibly as early as March.”

The former Girls Aloud star wants this album to be perfect. The source went on: “She felt rushed [with] her second album in order to get it released in time. But she’s really taken her time for this one and feels so positive about the music.”

Snoop Dogg arrested for marijuana possession

Friday, 13 January 2012 16:05

40-year-old rapper Snoop Dogg was arrested after police stopped his tour bus in Texas. The bus was inspected by canines at a border patrol checkpoint in Blanca who detected the scent of the star’s marijuana stash.

A spokesman for the police department explained: “During a routine check of US citizenship the inspecting Border Patrol agent detected the odor of marijuana emitting from the inside of the vehicle and requested the driver to pull into the secondary inspection lane for further inspection.

“The agent requested all subjects to exit the bus so that a canine working the checkpoint could conduct an inspection of the vehicle. Upon entering the bus the canine alerted to a trashcan located at the rear of the vehicle where a red prescription bottle containing rolled marijuana cigarettes were located.

“A further search produced two other containers containing marijuana weighing in all total of 0.130 lbs.”

The news doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as Snoop Dogg has long courted his drug of choice and recently appeared in a music video sitting beside a pile of the stuff. The rapper recently mentioned a desire to get President Barack Obama in private to request legalization for marijuana.

But he did own up to the charges – according to police, the rapper took immediate responsibility for the stash.

“Calvin C. Broadus a.k.a. Snoop Dogg freely admitted that the marijuana belonged to him and he was placed under arrest by US Border Patrol agents and detained. At approximately 4am Hudspeth County Sherriff’s Office was contacted and upon arrival, Mr. Broadus was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.”

Interestingly, country singer Willie Nelson was arrested at the same check point – and charged with the same offence – in 2010. At the time, Snoop Dogg defended Nelson, saying: “They better leave Willie the f*** alone.” 

Katy Perry speaks about pending divorce

Tuesday, 10 January 2012 14:44

Singer Katy Perry has finally broken her silence about her upcoming divorce to Russell Brand - but she tells fans not to believe everything they read.

Since Russell filed for divorce in Los Angeles, tabloid speculation as to what happened between the pair has yet to cease. But the ''Firework'' star declared that no one knows better than she what happened – not even her parents, who spoke publically about the divorce earlier this week.

The singer tweeted: “I am so grateful for all the love and support I’ve had from people around the world. You guys have made my heart happy again.”

She added: “Concerning the gossip, I want to be clear that NO ONE speaks for me. Not a blog, magazine, ‘close sources’ or my family.”

The comment was a clear reference to Katy’s parents, pastors Keith and Mary Hudson, who spoke to their evangelical congregation about the divorce, suggesting that perhaps it was a gift from God.

Mary told the unusually large crowd at Church on the Rise in Westlake, Ohio: “I’m sure that Katy’s trending on the Internet was to get you here to church tonight.

“I mean all over the world, who knows how God is bringing them in? The most important thing is you are here and God wants to put the fire in you in 2012.”

Sources close to Katy claim that Russell was forced to file for divorce in order not to upset the singer’s religious parents.

Russell has already spoken out about the divorce, telling fans on December 30: “Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I’ll always adore her and I know we’ll remain friends.”

TMZ reports that it will be Katy who gets to keep their $6.5 million home in Hollywood Hills – Russell is getting the boot. The separated pair bought the home only a few months before filing for divorce.

It’s a girl for Beyonce and Jay-Z

Tuesday, 10 January 2012 14:32

Beyonce gave birth to first child Blue Ivy Carter on Saturday at New York City's Lenox Hill Hospital. The ''Countdown'' singer reportedly delivered the baby naturally, not via c-section as many initial news reports claimed.

Just after Blue Ivy came into his life, new dad Jay-Z posted a new song on his website which featured the baby’s cries and the revelation that Beyonce had previously suffered a miscarriage.

In it he raps: “Last time the miscarriage was so tragic/ We was afraid you’d disappear/ But nah baby you magic.”

The couple released a statement today explaining that Blue Ivy “was delivered naturally at a healthy 7 lbs and it was the best experience of both of our lives.”

They added: “Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven. We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support.”

Beyonce reportedly paid $1.3 million (£843,000) to rent out a wing at Lenox Hill – much to the chagrin of other new parents.

According to NY Daily, one parent had trouble visiting his premature twins in the neonatal intensive care unit due to interference from Beyonce’s bodyguards.

Neil Coulon told the paper: “Three times they stopped me from entering or exiting the NICU and it happened once on Friday – just because they wanted to use the hallway….They should have been more strategic about it. These are children with problems in intensive care and you’re just going to take over the hospital like you own it? All I want is an apology.”

According to Coulon – who is from the same Brooklyn neighborhood as Jay-Z – relatives of his who drove four and a half hours to see his newborns weren’t allowed anywhere near the unit. He said: “They locked us into the NICU and would say, ‘You can’t come out to the hallway for the next 20 minutes.’ When I was finally able to go back out, I went to the waiting room and they’d ushered my family downstairs!”