The resolution of a trade mark dispute by hard rockers The Angels demonstrates the importance of intellectual property rights on the increasingly lucrative rock nostalgia circuit.
With the passage of time, veteran outfits like The Angels often experience a turnover of members because of age and ‘creative differences’, not to mention the rigours of the rock lifestyle. The result is there are often completing claims to the band’s name.
The Angels may have been able to resolve their legal dispute by reforming their classic line-up, but such cases are not always settled so amicably.
In the case of another veteran Aussie group, the Little River Band, three original members are unable to reform the band and tour under its name, because they allowed their shares in the proprietary company which owned the name to pass to the sole remaining member, Stephen Houseden.
