Jamerson's widow sues La Bella

[JAUQO III-X]

http://www.freep.com/article/2010012...-sues-over-ads

[WJGreer]

Assuming that the Freep story presents the facts as they are, her complaint seems reasonable.

[Craig_S]

The "Freep" is the Detroit Free Press. It is a reputable newspaper.

As much as I like the LaBella strings on my P-Bass, I have to say Jamerson's widow is entitled to request they remove his name and likeness. They were used without permission. LaBella needs to get smart or get sued.

[jmain]

Seriously, they should know better. Other words come to mind, but I'll just say its tacky for right now.

[TMBTC]

Good for her... they have been using his name for years !!

[billoetjen]

I'm e-mailing LaBella today. As a loyal customer, I feel obliged to tell them that they owe Mr. Jamerson's legacy A LOT.
I'll post the text of the e-mail when I get a chance. Thanks to Jauqo for starting the thread.

[Honk'n_down-low]

If it is true, it is a crappy thing to do and then not to acknowledge her request.

They should pay what she asks and then some IMO and also donate a portion of the proceeds from the strings to a charity or cause of her choice.

I am using Labella Flats on my P-Bass - and would consider removing them and not using them again if they don't step up here.

Jamerson is my Avatar, so you could say I am guilty of using this Photo - but it was publicly available and I use it in Tribute to his amazing talent and contribution and because his playing so greatly influenced me to play this instrument. I never get tired of listening da man!

[John Wentzien]

She should go after Berry Gordy while she's at it!

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

Assuming that the Freep story presents the facts as they are, her complaint seems reasonable.

considering they got his age wrong by a decade or so, hmmm.........it could very well be that labella is right here,so it remains to be seen.....

[deaf pea]

I checked the "La Bella Strings" website and juststrings.com . . .

From labella.com
"The 0760M set was used on virtually every Motown gold record in the 1960s. Donald “Duck“ Dunn used the same strings on countless recordings with Otis Redding and Booker T. & the MG’s. They are the fullest and deepest sounding bass strings ever."
There isn't any mention of JJ OR photo of him on the packaging . . . it says “ORIGINAL 1954 FENDER® STYLE (Registered trademark of Fender Musical Instruments, Inc.) Flat Wound"

juststrings.com has the 0760M set in stock and FWIW there isn't any mention of JJ OR photo of him on the packaging that they show, either . . .

It seems that La Bella has already complied . . .

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

considering they got his age wrong by a decade or so, hmmm.........it could very well be that labella is right here,so it remains to be seen.....

[Papazita]

Originally Posted by deaf pea

I checked the "La Bella Strings" website and juststrings.com . . .

From labella.com
"The 0760M set was used on virtually every Motown gold record in the 1960s. Donald “Duck“ Dunn used the same strings on countless recordings with Otis Redding and Booker T. & the MG’s. They are the fullest and deepest sounding bass strings ever."
There isn't any mention of JJ OR photo of him on the packaging . . . it says “ORIGINAL 1954 FENDER® STYLE (Registered trademark of Fender Musical Instruments, Inc.) Flat Wound"

juststrings.com has the 0760M set in stock and FWIW there isn't any mention of JJ OR photo of him on the packaging that they show, either . . .

It seems that La Bella has already complied . . .

I don't see any photo or mention of Jamerson on their site, either, so from that, it would seem that they are complying with the cease & desist order.
I do recall many LaBella ads in bass magazines, though, with Jamerson's picture prominently featured. If that was an unlicensed use of his photo, and they profited from its use, then I think some compensation should be made.

[John Wentzien]

Attachment 154865

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

sorry....i forgot that both sides of a story need not necessarily be heard

[bassmonkeee]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

considering they got his age wrong by a decade or so, hmmm.........it could very well be that labella is right here,so it remains to be seen.....

"He died in 1983 at age 47."

Does math work differently where you live? Born in January, 1936, and died in August, 1983. That's 47 years old.

[Papazita]

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Attachment 154865

That's the ad I remember!

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Honk'n_down-low

Jamerson is my Avatar, so you could say I am guilty of using this Photo - but it was publicly available and I use it in Tribute to his amazing talent and contribution and because his playing so greatly influenced me to play this instrument.

But the key point is that you're not profiting financially by exploiting his name and/or likeness...

MM

[bongomania]

If I was Labella I would offer her a modest deal on the rights to his name and image going forward, and pro-rate the deal to the time of his passing.

[deaf pea]

Originally Posted by bongomania

If I was Labella I would offer her a modest deal on the rights to his name and image going forward, and pro-rate the deal to the time of his passing.

Me, too . . . sounds fair . . . but they (La Bella) don't seem to care . . .

[mcm]

somebody is always looking to sue somebody...sad in my book