Xiu Xiu and Fucked Up have launched a class action lawsuit against Rolling Stone Magazine, R.J. Reynolds Tabacco Company (operating company of Camel Cigarettes), and Wenner Media (publisher of Rolling Stone). The lawsuit stems from the 40th Anniversary issue of Rolling Stone in which the two artists (among 186 others) were featured in a multi-page spread sponsored by Camel. The suit claims that the names of the plaintiffs (and the Class) were not authorized for use and that the two defendants published a four-page advertisement, "Indie Rock Universe," without any bands consent or prior knowledge to "hawk[ing] Camel cigarettes." The suit goes on to further claim that the "defendants engaged in despicable conduct, carried on with willful and conscious disregard for the rights of plaintiffs and the Class." The plaintiffs are seeking that Rolling Stone and R.J. Reynolds publish an admission that the artists’ names were used without consent in a spread equal or greater in size to the original ad. In addition, the bands are seeking financial award of $750.00 for each violation for each plaintiff and each member of the Class. The suit also seeks additional award for actual and punitive damages and attorneys' fees and costs. You can download a PDF version of the lawsuit here. Source: The Daily Swarm
