2004.03.15 - Guns N' Roses Files Lawsuit (Press Release from Sanctuary Group)

Guns N' Roses Files Lawsuit

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2004--GUNS N' ROSES have filed a lawsuit against Geffen Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc., to stop the unauthorized release of a Greatest Hits package by the band. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against this unauthorized release and was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The band has not been given the opportunity to approve the choice of songs, the artwork, the release date or the re-mastering done on the tracks included on this compilation. GUNS N' ROSES have sold over 80,000,000 albums worldwide - almost 40,000,000 in the US alone - and founding member W. Axl Rose is concerned that not only will their audience be misled into believing that the planned compilation is an authorized release, but that it will hinder the release of the band's long awaited new studio album CHINESE DEMOCRACY. There has been a massive outcry among the band's loyal audience against the Greatest Hits record, as they too believe the track selection is fundamentally flawed, does not reflect the band's best work and is clearly not the ultimate package that would be selected by the band or their fan base if they were given the opportunity. They have flooded the offices of Geffen Records' senior executives with thousands of emails over the last few weeks expressing their dissent.

W. Axl Rose is joined by former band members Slash and Duff McKagan in bringing the action against Geffen Records.

Related article in Billboard, March 15, 2004:
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Guns N' Roses Sues To Block 'Greatest Hits'

As tipped here last month, current and former members of Guns N' Roses have filed a lawsuit against Geffen Records in an attempt to block what they call the "unauthorized release" of a pending best-of collection. The "Greatest Hits" set, due March 23, is tipped to feature such favorites as "Welcome to the Jungle," "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Patience" and "Paradise City."

In an interesting twist, former GNR principals Slash and Duff McKagan have joined lone current original member Axl Rose in filing the lawsuit, which seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the issuing of "Greatest Hits."

The band claims it was not consulted on the track list, artwork or the remastering of the chosen songs. In a statement released by the group's management at the Sanctuary Group, Rose expresses concern that "not only will [the] audience be misled into believing that the planned compilation is an authorized release, but that it will hinder the release of the band's long-awaited new studio album, 'Chinese Democracy.'"

The statement references a "massive outcry among the band's loyal audience," over a "track selection [that] is fundamentally flawed, does not reflect the band's best work and is clearly not the ultimate package that would be selected by the band or [its] fan base if they were given the opportunity."

The suit adds further doubt to the uncertain future of "Chinese Democracy," a project that has dragged on for years amid personnel changes within Guns N' Roses and a disastrous 2002 comeback tour. No firm date has been given for its appearance.

Related article in Blabbermouth, same date:
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GUNS N' ROSES File Lawsuit Against GEFFEN To Halt Release Of 'Greatest Hits'

GUNS N' ROSES have filed a lawsuit against Geffen Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc., to stop the "unauthorized" release of a "Greatest Hits" package by the band. The lawsuit. which was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the release.

According to the lawsuit — which was filed by W. Axl Rose and former bandmembers Slash and Duff McKagan — GUNS N' ROSES have not been given the opportunity to approve the choice of songs, the artwork, the release date or the re-mastering done on the tracks included on this compilation.

GUNS N' ROSES have sold over 80 million albums worldwide — almost 40 million in the U.S. alone — and founding member W. Axl Rose is said to be concerned that the group's audience will not only be misled into believing that the planned compilation is an authorized release, but that it will hinder the release of the band's long-awaited new studio album, "Chinese Democracy". There has been a massive outcry among the band's loyal audience against the "Greatest Hits" record, as "they too believe the track selection is fundamentally flawed, does not reflect the band's best work and is clearly not the ultimate package that would be selected by the band or their fan base if they were given the opportunity," according to an official statement from GNR's management. "They have flooded the offices of Geffen Records' senior executives with thousands of emails over the last few weeks expressing their dissent."

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-file-lawsuit-against-geffen-to-halt-release-of-greatest-hits/