ALL RISE
L.A. Guns founder Tracii Guns files suit against former drummer Steve Riley for Trademark Infringement
LOS ANGELES, California — Metal Sludge has been given a tip that L.A. Guns will be battling L.A. Guns in the L.A. Courts.
In a brand new lawsuit, band founder Tracii Guns has filed a Trademark Infringement suit against former drummer Steve Riley.
According to our source, the suit was in the works for sometime since Riley formed his own version of L.A. Guns in the spring of 2019.
A article linked at Bloomberg Law states: “L.A. Guns’s founding guitarist Tracii Guns sued his former drummer Steve Riley in Los Angeles federal court for allegedly infringing the band’s trademark by touring under the “L.A. Guns” name.”
“Riley also wrongly registered the band’s trademark in his name and misappropriated royalties, the Jan. 9 complaint said.” — Bloomberg Law.
Guns has talked openly for years alleging Riley had stolen money from him.
In a 2008 article from Bravewords Guns states: “Steve Riley stole $157,000 dollars from me, and Phil Lewis is a piece of shit. So there you go. You wanted the answer, well, there it is.”
In a 2019 interview with The Blairing Out Show at NAMM, Eric Blair inquires about Riley, Guns replies with: “Oh. He’s doing the M3 [Rock] Festival. Yeah, yeah. He’s a piece of shit. That’s what I think of it. [Speaking directly to the camera] You owe me a lot of money you fuckin’ ugly fuck [laughs]. And fuck you.” (as transcribed on Sleazeroxx and heard below)
Guns currently tours as L.A. Guns with the classic era voice Phil Lewis, bassist Johnny Martin, Ace Von Johnson (guitars) and Scot Coogan (drums).
Riley has his own version of the band with classic era bassist Kelly Nickels, Scott Griffin (guitars) and frontman/guitarist Kurt Frohlich.
The TRACK DOCKET: No. 2:20-cv-00270 and post were published on January 10th 2020.
Stay tuned as we await further details as this all unfolds.
To see the full article log in at Bloomberg Law
