I had mentioned earlier how Prince scoured the Internet looking for copyright violations, including his songs playing in the background on YouTube videos, in this article: Prince Hates Dancing Babies?. Now it seems he is going one step further. His attorneys have demanded that fansites remove all photographs, images, lyrics, album covers and anything linked to the artist’s likeness. The notices even tell fans that they need to remove any pictures of their Prince tattoos or any of his material shown in pictures on vehicles or other personal items.

According to news reports, the letters apparently also suggest that the law firms will be seeking compensation on Prince’s behalf, going beyond just threatening to sue but already engaging in a monetary shakedown of these site owners.

Selling online is all about building relationships and yet he destroys them by being a bully. Ultimately, it’s a futile move since fair use rules permit many of the so called violations. Not to mention pissing on your fanbase isn’t a good idea for any artist who wants to continue to sell to them.

Well, I’m certainly done with anything Prince does in the future. Hopefully he’ll go into a long, lonely, obscure and bankrupt retirement.

What do you think? Are you boycotting him for life as well? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Music
lawsuit, Prince