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"Rock Star" band SupernovaSeptember 13, 2006, 12:20 PM ET
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
A California judge has ordered producers of the CBS reality show "Rock Star" to find a new name for its group Supernova, ruling that an established band already exists with that moniker. The original Supernova had previously filed for a preliminary injunction protecting its name.
The news comes at a particularly bad time for the TV show, which will name its winning vocalist tonight (Sept. 13). The winner will promptly hit the studio with guitarist Gilby Clarke, bassist Jason Newsted and drummer Tommy Lee; the group is slated to begin a North American tour on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas.
As part of the judge's ruling, the CBS-spawned group is enjoined from using the Supernova name for performances and recordings.
"The ruling is a major victory for Supernova, especially since it has been announced on several occasions that our client's case had no merit," says Supernova attorney John Mizhir, Jr. "This is sweet justice. The order also proves that the law does not discriminate. The band members have worked hard for the past 17 years to establish the name Supernova and they are entitled to continue to perform without any other parties -- large or small -- infringing on their rights."
Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Supernova, founded in 1989 by Jodey Lawrence, Art Mitchell and David Collins, has released four albums and is best known for contributing the song "Chewbacca" to the cult movie "Clerks."
Billboard Biz
posted September 13, 2006 20:41
