Hello folks, my wife just found this article in our local English news paper tonight. The paper is called The Lancashire Evening Post see here:
http://www.lep.co.uk/showbiz/Doors-duo-fac...bill.4420000.jp
Doors duo face £2.5m bill after row
A long-running legal dispute between the three surviving members of The Doors is coming to a close with two of them facing a bill of around £2.5 million.
Keyboard player Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger have been refused an appeal after Californian courts ruled they improperly used the group's name and images during a 2003 concert tour.
They will now have to pay out to drummer John Densmore, the parents of the dead lead singer Jim Morrison and the parents of Morrison's dead wife, Pamela Courson, who died in 1974.
The Los Angeles-based band had a string of hits in the 1960s including Break On Through, L.A. Woman and Riders On The Storm.
The case goes back to 2002, when Densmore declined an offer from the other two to go on a concert tour as The Doors. Densmore said he did not object to Manzarek and Krieger touring and singing The Doors' songs, as long as they did not call themselves The Doors, use the group's distinctive logo or any other Morrison-era imagery.
Densmore and the parents sued Manzarek and Krieger in 2003 after the two began touring the country with Ian Astbury, former lead singer of The Cult, calling themselves The Doors of the 21st Century.
Densmore complained that the phrase "of the 21st Century" was often little more than fine print in advertisements and that the new band displayed Morrison's image dozens of times during concerts.
In 2005, a judge ordered the new band to stop using "The Doors" in any form and ordered Manzarek and Krieger to pay Densmore and the parents a total of £2.5 million in compensation and legal costs.
The dispute stems from a 1970 agreement signed by the four original band members, including Morrison, that any business deal would require an unanimous vote of The Doors. The agreement was reached after Morrison and three others got into a "violent disagreement" over using Light my Fire in a TV commercial.
Since Morrison's death in Paris in 1971, the remaining band members and the parents split Morrison's share of the still-flourishing sale of The Doors' music and memorabilia. Each partner has veto power over business deals.
Full Version: Ray & Robby Refused Appeal Over Using Doors Name?
John's actions were and are a disgrace.
john could have a better part if he joins to ROTS
Well obviously not what I want, but the band has been touring under "Riders on the Storm" for three years now after many said they'd quit after loosing the rights to the "Doors" name.
Well, that's $1.25 million dollars each, which is a bugger, but without wishing to appear rude, I'm sure they can afford it. Not that it will make handing over that kind of money easier!
It's a shame that two founding members of The Doors cannot use the word 'doors' while hundreds of lesser tribute musicians (who I respect greatly as entertainers nonetheless) get to use the word 'doors' in their band names, advertising, etc., as well as tribute bands using Morrison's image left, right and centre. Just think The Australian Doors Show, The LA Doors, The UK Doors and so on. No-one objects to them using Jim's image and The Doors name to death, yet Ray, who was on the beach with Jim and agreed the band name with him first, before Robby and John were on the scene musically speaking, apparently no longer has any right to use a name that he agreed upon with his friend Jim, before John became a part of the band. You wanna talk agreements, like the 1970 agreement, well how about the 1965 Venice Beach agreement between Ray and Jim. The Doors name was their personal bond, not John's, and not even Robby's. Just Ray and Jim that day. Not forgetting Jim and Rick Manzarek and the rest of course. Technically speaking, Ray's brothers were founding members of The Doors, having played gigs under the name The Doors, with Jim Morrison! I think when Rick finishes the next round of touring as one of the head roadies, he should dust off his lawyer and get in on the action!!! lol
It's been a long time though with this legal case and I'm glad it's over. John got what he wanted, so fine. The Courson and Morrison estates got to butt-fuck Ray, which is what they've wanted for 40 years now, so fine. Ray's dignity and respect have been shit all over, so fine. Everyone's happy. The name of this legal game wasn't presevation of Jim's memory, it was the how do we most effectively fuck Ray in public. Revenge for ignoring two families who had sod all to do with The Doors legacy, and one great percussionist who had fallen out with his bandmate. Sad, but it's over. And at least us ROTS fans get to keep the music. So it's not all bad news. Ray will bounce back. Robby too. They're too good for this legal mumbo-jumbo.
PK
PS. If anyone thinks the above is bad-mouthing John, it isn't meant to be. John had his reasons, which I believe are entirely seperate from those of the families, and I've tried to seperate my 'commentary' about the various parties accordingly. As a fan, I disagree with John's stance, but respect him as a member of The Doors regardless. The Courson and Morrison estates though? The further they are away from any control of Jim's and The Doors' legacy, the better. I know the Morrison estate is Jim's family, but he seperated himself from them, and with good reason. And the Coursons? Frankly, I should be allowed more input into the band's direction and legacy than them!!! lol I'm sure they're nice people on many levels, but I find it artistically offensive to see The Doors' legacy meddled with by a family that doesn't have a clue about music. Every Doors fan reading my rant here has more credibility in respect of The Doors' legacy than do The Courson family. I wish them well though, and if I were religious, I'd pray for them to start making better decisions, more in keeping with The Doors philosophy. Ditto the Morrisons (except maybe Andy, who from what I've read is a decent chap).
It's a shame that two founding members of The Doors cannot use the word 'doors' while hundreds of lesser tribute musicians (who I respect greatly as entertainers nonetheless) get to use the word 'doors' in their band names, advertising, etc., as well as tribute bands using Morrison's image left, right and centre. Just think The Australian Doors Show, The LA Doors, The UK Doors and so on. No-one objects to them using Jim's image and The Doors name to death, yet Ray, who was on the beach with Jim and agreed the band name with him first, before Robby and John were on the scene musically speaking, apparently no longer has any right to use a name that he agreed upon with his friend Jim, before John became a part of the band. You wanna talk agreements, like the 1970 agreement, well how about the 1965 Venice Beach agreement between Ray and Jim. The Doors name was their personal bond, not John's, and not even Robby's. Just Ray and Jim that day. Not forgetting Jim and Rick Manzarek and the rest of course. Technically speaking, Ray's brothers were founding members of The Doors, having played gigs under the name The Doors, with Jim Morrison! I think when Rick finishes the next round of touring as one of the head roadies, he should dust off his lawyer and get in on the action!!! lol
It's been a long time though with this legal case and I'm glad it's over. John got what he wanted, so fine. The Courson and Morrison estates got to butt-fuck Ray, which is what they've wanted for 40 years now, so fine. Ray's dignity and respect have been shit all over, so fine. Everyone's happy. The name of this legal game wasn't presevation of Jim's memory, it was the how do we most effectively fuck Ray in public. Revenge for ignoring two families who had sod all to do with The Doors legacy, and one great percussionist who had fallen out with his bandmate. Sad, but it's over. And at least us ROTS fans get to keep the music. So it's not all bad news. Ray will bounce back. Robby too. They're too good for this legal mumbo-jumbo.
PK
PS. If anyone thinks the above is bad-mouthing John, it isn't meant to be. John had his reasons, which I believe are entirely seperate from those of the families, and I've tried to seperate my 'commentary' about the various parties accordingly. As a fan, I disagree with John's stance, but respect him as a member of The Doors regardless. The Courson and Morrison estates though? The further they are away from any control of Jim's and The Doors' legacy, the better. I know the Morrison estate is Jim's family, but he seperated himself from them, and with good reason. And the Coursons? Frankly, I should be allowed more input into the band's direction and legacy than them!!! lol I'm sure they're nice people on many levels, but I find it artistically offensive to see The Doors' legacy meddled with by a family that doesn't have a clue about music. Every Doors fan reading my rant here has more credibility in respect of The Doors' legacy than do The Courson family. I wish them well though, and if I were religious, I'd pray for them to start making better decisions, more in keeping with The Doors philosophy. Ditto the Morrisons (except maybe Andy, who from what I've read is a decent chap).
QUOTE(PK The First @ Aug 31 2008, 10:16 PM) 
Well, that's $1.25 million dollars each, which is a bugger, but without wishing to appear rude, I'm sure they can afford it. Not that it will make handing over that kind of money easier!
It's a shame that two founding members of The Doors cannot use the word 'doors' while hundreds of lesser tribute musicians (who I respect greatly as entertainers nonetheless) get to use the word 'doors' in their band names, advertising, etc., as well as tribute bands using Morrison's image left, right and centre. Just think The Australian Doors Show, The LA Doors, The UK Doors and so on. No-one objects to them using Jim's image and The Doors name to death, yet Ray, who was on the beach with Jim and agreed the band name with him first, before Robby and John were on the scene musically speaking, apparently no longer has any right to use a name that he agreed upon with his friend Jim, before John became a part of the band. You wanna talk agreements, like the 1970 agreement, well how about the 1965 Venice Beach agreement between Ray and Jim. The Doors name was their personal bond, not John's, and not even Robby's. Just Ray and Jim that day. Not forgetting Jim and Rick Manzarek and the rest of course. Technically speaking, Ray's brothers were founding members of The Doors, having played gigs under the name The Doors, with Jim Morrison! I think when Rick finishes the next round of touring as one of the head roadies, he should dust off his lawyer and get in on the action!!! lol
It's been a long time though with this legal case and I'm glad it's over. John got what he wanted, so fine. The Courson and Morrison estates got to butt-fuck Ray, which is what they've wanted for 40 years now, so fine. Ray's dignity and respect have been shit all over, so fine. Everyone's happy. The name of this legal game wasn't presevation of Jim's memory, it was the how do we most effectively fuck Ray in public. Revenge for ignoring two families who had sod all to do with The Doors legacy, and one great percussionist who had fallen out with his bandmate. Sad, but it's over. And at least us ROTS fans get to keep the music. So it's not all bad news. Ray will bounce back. Robby too. They're too good for this legal mumbo-jumbo.
PK
PS. If anyone thinks the above is bad-mouthing John, it isn't meant to be. John had his reasons, which I believe are entirely seperate from those of the families, and I've tried to seperate my 'commentary' about the various parties accordingly. As a fan, I disagree with John's stance, but respect him as a member of The Doors regardless. The Courson and Morrison estates though? The further they are away from any control of Jim's and The Doors' legacy, the better. I know the Morrison estate is Jim's family, but he seperated himself from them, and with good reason. And the Coursons? Frankly, I should be allowed more input into the band's direction and legacy than them!!! lol I'm sure they're nice people on many levels, but I find it artistically offensive to see The Doors' legacy meddled with by a family that doesn't have a clue about music. Every Doors fan reading my rant here has more credibility in respect of The Doors' legacy than do The Courson family. I wish them well though, and if I were religious, I'd pray for them to start making better decisions, more in keeping with The Doors philosophy. Ditto the Morrisons (except maybe Andy, who from what I've read is a decent chap).
It's a shame that two founding members of The Doors cannot use the word 'doors' while hundreds of lesser tribute musicians (who I respect greatly as entertainers nonetheless) get to use the word 'doors' in their band names, advertising, etc., as well as tribute bands using Morrison's image left, right and centre. Just think The Australian Doors Show, The LA Doors, The UK Doors and so on. No-one objects to them using Jim's image and The Doors name to death, yet Ray, who was on the beach with Jim and agreed the band name with him first, before Robby and John were on the scene musically speaking, apparently no longer has any right to use a name that he agreed upon with his friend Jim, before John became a part of the band. You wanna talk agreements, like the 1970 agreement, well how about the 1965 Venice Beach agreement between Ray and Jim. The Doors name was their personal bond, not John's, and not even Robby's. Just Ray and Jim that day. Not forgetting Jim and Rick Manzarek and the rest of course. Technically speaking, Ray's brothers were founding members of The Doors, having played gigs under the name The Doors, with Jim Morrison! I think when Rick finishes the next round of touring as one of the head roadies, he should dust off his lawyer and get in on the action!!! lol
It's been a long time though with this legal case and I'm glad it's over. John got what he wanted, so fine. The Courson and Morrison estates got to butt-fuck Ray, which is what they've wanted for 40 years now, so fine. Ray's dignity and respect have been shit all over, so fine. Everyone's happy. The name of this legal game wasn't presevation of Jim's memory, it was the how do we most effectively fuck Ray in public. Revenge for ignoring two families who had sod all to do with The Doors legacy, and one great percussionist who had fallen out with his bandmate. Sad, but it's over. And at least us ROTS fans get to keep the music. So it's not all bad news. Ray will bounce back. Robby too. They're too good for this legal mumbo-jumbo.
PK
PS. If anyone thinks the above is bad-mouthing John, it isn't meant to be. John had his reasons, which I believe are entirely seperate from those of the families, and I've tried to seperate my 'commentary' about the various parties accordingly. As a fan, I disagree with John's stance, but respect him as a member of The Doors regardless. The Courson and Morrison estates though? The further they are away from any control of Jim's and The Doors' legacy, the better. I know the Morrison estate is Jim's family, but he seperated himself from them, and with good reason. And the Coursons? Frankly, I should be allowed more input into the band's direction and legacy than them!!! lol I'm sure they're nice people on many levels, but I find it artistically offensive to see The Doors' legacy meddled with by a family that doesn't have a clue about music. Every Doors fan reading my rant here has more credibility in respect of The Doors' legacy than do The Courson family. I wish them well though, and if I were religious, I'd pray for them to start making better decisions, more in keeping with The Doors philosophy. Ditto the Morrisons (except maybe Andy, who from what I've read is a decent chap).
As always spot on in every department mate.
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