LOS ANGELES, May 14 (UPI) -- Shock rocker Marilyn Manson is suing a former band mate and a Florida record label for alleged copyright and trademark infringement.
Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, and band mate Madonna Wayne Gacy, whose real name is Stephen Bier, filed suit April 28 in Los Angeles against Scott Putesky and Empirewerks Records claiming damages of at least $500,000, and seeking punitive damages, Billboard.com reported Friday.
The claimants asked that distribution be halted of "Lunch Boxes & Choklit Cows," an album of 1993 material cut by Manson's early band the Spooky Kids. The suit claims the album and accompanying DVD use unauthorized illustrations from Manson's book "The Long Hard Road Out of Hell" and the musicians' likenesses, Billboard said.
The suit also said that the alleged infringements constitute a breach of an October 1998 settlement agreement related to Putesky's exit from the band.
"We've tried to work things out with Manson. He doesn't respond," said Richard Wolfe, Putesky's and Empire's attorney, who said the proper venue for the matter is Broward County, Fla., Circuit Court.
