Posts Tagged ‘court’

Geoff Tate Wins Court Ruling to Continue Using Queensryche Name

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com There will continue to be two Queensryche s, at least for the time being, as a Washington state judge ruled Friday (Oct. 19) in favor of Geoff Tate , allowing the singer to perform with his own version of the group after being ousted from his former band earlier this year. Billboard reports that Superior Court Judge Carol A. Schapira denied a motion for a partial summary judgment that had been filed by guitarist Michael Wilton, drummer Scott Rockenfield and bassist Eddie Jackson last month attempting to keep Tate from using the name. Jackson stated in a recent interview with Billboard that the announcement of a Tate-led Queensryche lineup that was planning to tour and record led to confusion amongst their fans. Earlier this year, Tate’s attempts to keep his former bandmates from touring under the Queensryche name, but with a different vocalist, were denied . However, at the time of the July ruling, Schapira stated that there was not enough information given that would keep her from letting Tate use the moniker as well. The members of Queensryche issued a statement to Billboard which read: Queensryche is disappointed in the denial of the motion to prevent our former vocalist from using our name, but we respect the court’s decision to do so. That said, we apologize for any confusion to our fans that a second entity sharing our name may cause. We look forward to seeing all of you on the road and bringing you new Queensryche music in the near future. Thank you all for your continued support, and for now we will just have to let the rocking do the talking. Tate has also filed suit for wrongful termination, while the band countersued claiming creative obstruction and violent behavior. Should the cases proceed to trial without a settlement, the court date is set for Nov. 18, 2013. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/geoff-tate-unveils-cover-art-track-listing-for-solo-album-kings-thieves/” title=”Next: Geoff Tate Reveals Solo Album Details” align=”center”]

Queensryche Members Attempting to Stop Geoff Tate From Using Band Name

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com At present, there are two versions of  Queensryche  as a result of Geoff Tate ‘s ousting from the band and the inability of the courts to sort out all the legalities as of yet. Tate initially filed an injunction attempting to keep the rest of the band from using the name, but did not succeed. Now his former bandmates are turning the tables trying to keep Tate from doing the same with his reconstructed lineup . Billboard reports that a motion for partial summary judgment was filed Sept. 21 in Washington state’s King County Superior Court. Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield, and Eddie Jackson – Tate’s longtime bandmates – are asking the court to declare that the singer “has no right to the Queensryche band name, marks and media assets since he has no grant of authority from the TriRyche Corporation that owns them.” They request that unless Tate is able to succeed in dissolving the band’s organizations legally that he should not be allowed usage of the imagery. The singer does have a suit against the TriRyche Organization that also claims that they illegally fired him earlier this year and by doing so will do irreparable harm to the band’s brand name. Jackson told Billboard in a statement, “The recent announcement of a second Queensryche lineup, upcoming tour plans and new musical direction has caused some confusion for our fans. This confusion has caused Scott, Michael and I to file a motion against our former vocalist to prevent him from using the name Queensryche. Until now, we have never asked the court to intervene on our behalf but it seems like we have no choice now in light of Geoff’s recent actions. We thank the fans who have been supporting us through this whole process and can’t wait to unleash the one true Queensryche to the masses.” Tate recently revealed he had recruited Quiet Riot bassist Rudy Sarzo, Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer, former Megadeth guitarist Glen Drover, ex-Queensryche guitarist Kelly Gray and keyboardist Randy Gane to fill out his lineup. The singer has a new solo record coming later this year and recently announced plans to tour with the new lineup, though it has not been revealed when those dates will take place. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/geoff-tate-solo-album-fall-2012tour-details/” title=”Next: Geoff Tate Announces Touring Plans” align=”center”]

Man Who Murdered Dave Navarro’s Mother No Longer on Death Row

John Riccardi, the man convicted of shooting and killing Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro‘s mother Connie, is no longer on death row after the California Supreme Court reversed his death sentence. According to LAist.com, the court stated that the 76-year-old Riccardi was denied a fair trial after the judge “erroneously excused a prospective juror during jury selection.” Riccardi was sentenced to death row in 1994 after being found guilty of