The Music Lawsuits Quiz
1 of 8
What band faced criminal charges after their tour bus driver dumped 100 gallons of “human waste” into the Chicago River in 2004?
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Dave Matthews Band
Creed
Pearl Jam
ANSWER: While the stunt was the fault of tour bus driver Stefan Wohl (who plead guilty, paid a fine, spent a few years on probation, and paid off a yacht charter company whose tourists took in the foul sight and smell) band members made financial contributions to a Chicago environmental groups to smooth things over. While the stunt was the fault of tour bus driver Stefan Wohl (who plead guilty, paid a fine, spent a few years on probation, and paid off a yacht charter company whose tourists took in the foul sight and smell) band members made financial contributions to a Chicago environmental groups to smooth things over.
2 of 8
Heavy metal moguls Metallica lost their cool when what popular clothing and make-up distributor used their namesake to describe a shimmering new line of lipsticks?
Calvin Klein
Gucci
Gap
Victoria's Secret
ANSWER: When the lingere brand used the word Metallica to name the new product, the band cried for copyright infringement benefits and requested all catalogues featuring the lipstick be destroyed. When the lingere brand used the word Metallica to name the new product, the band cried for copyright infringement benefits and requested all catalogues featuring the lipstick be destroyed.
3 of 8
After releasing an album in the 1990s, British composer and producer Mike Batt was given a notice for allegedly ripping off what unusual track?
One minute of clapping
One minute of silence
One minute of running water
One minute of heavy breathing
ANSWER: A one-minute track of silence. Apparently, American composer John Cage had done the same thing in the 1952 composition 4’33’’. Although he died in 1992, and Batt admitted his version, “One Minute’s Silence,” was a tribute to Cage, he'd added himself as a “songwriter” on the piece. In the end, Batt had to write a six-figure check to the John Cage Trust. A one-minute track of silence. Apparently, American composer John Cage had done the same thing in the 1952 composition 4’33’’. Although he died in 1992, and Batt admitted his version, “One Minute’s Silence,” was a tribute to Cage, he'd added himself as a “songwriter” on the piece. In the end, Batt had to write a six-figure check to the John Cage Trust.
4 of 8
In 2003, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) won a case against what wireless phone and Internet provider, requiring them to “release the name of subscribers who were suspected of copyright infringement”?
Verizon
Cingular
AT&T
T-Mobile
ANSWER: According to USA Today legal columnist Eric J. Sinrod, the decision began the process of requiring settlements from individuals who illegally downloaded music. However the ruling has since been overturned. According to USA Today legal columnist Eric J. Sinrod, the decision began the process of requiring settlements from individuals who illegally downloaded music. However the ruling has since been overturned.
5 of 8
Canadian artist Avril Lavigne has recently been sued by what 1970s band, claiming her hit single “Girlfriend” has an uncanny resemblance to their track “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”?
The Blasters
The Knack
The Rubinoos
The Pop Group
ANSWER: The chorus in the alleged original version reads, “Hey, hey, you, you – I wanna be your boyfriend” while Lavigne’s, which sounds strikingly similar although more upbeat, reads, “Hey, hey, you, you – I don’t like your boyfriend.” The chorus in the alleged original version reads, “Hey, hey, you, you – I wanna be your boyfriend” while Lavigne’s, which sounds strikingly similar although more upbeat, reads, “Hey, hey, you, you – I don’t like your boyfriend.”
6 of 8
After George Harrison died in 2001, his estate took his oncologist to court. What was he accused of doing?
Getting autographs for friends while treating Harrison in his home
Not having an active license to practice medicine
Pretending to be in the music business to get closer to Harrison
Stealing from Harrison’s home
ANSWER: Dr. Gilbert Lederman was taken to court for using his professional position to get “unique collectors items of enormous value.” Dr. Gilbert Lederman was taken to court for using his professional position to get “unique collectors items of enormous value.”
7 of 8
Pop artist Michael Bolton was accused of ripping off “Love Is A Wonderful Thing” from what famous band?
The Bee Gees
The Chiffons
The Isley Brothers
The Allman Brothers Band
ANSWER: Bolton tried to appeal his guilty sentence to the U.S. Supreme Court, but when they denied him a second chance, he and his co-writer had to dish out more than $5 million. Bolton tried to appeal his guilty sentence to the U.S. Supreme Court, but when they denied him a second chance, he and his co-writer had to dish out more than $5 million.
8 of 8
Which member of The Doors took the rest of the band to court for not including him in their “reunion tour” as The Doors of the 21st Century?
Keyboardist Ray Manzarek
Drummer John Densmore
Guitarist Robby Krieger
Jim Morrison's estate
ANSWER: John reminded the others of a 1971 legal document that stated all three surviving band members – and the Morrison estate – had to agree on any future use of the name The Doors. John reminded the others of a 1971 legal document that stated all three surviving band members – and the Morrison estate – had to agree on any future use of the name The Doors.
