A lawsuit claiming Muse cribbed ideas from a U.S. writer were filed against the arena prog-poppers' record label Warner Bros. last week, and the band have now weighed in on the situation to deny the allegations.
Muse issued a statement yesterday (September 11) that "categorically denied" the claims of Charles Bolfrass, who said the band stole the interstellar ideas for The Resistance tracks "Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1 (Overture)," "Exogenesis: Symphony Part 2 (Cross-Pollination)" and "Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3 (Redemption)" from a "cinematic science-fiction rock opera" he had proposed to the group, also titled "Exogenesis." Muse are defending themselves by debating the timing of the case, which deals with material off a three-year-old LP. Bolfrass claims he had sent the material back in 2005.
"The claim is complete nonsense," the band said in a statement. "It speaks volumes that the album in question was released a full three years ago, and yet this is the first that has been heard of these groundless allegations."
While Bolfrass is asking for $3.5 million in his suit, which accuses the act of copyright infringement, unfair trade practices and unfair competition, Muse say that they hadn't even actually seen Bolfrass's Exogenesis treatment and will apparently fight to clear their name over the legal conundrum.
"[The lawsuit is] based on a 'screenplay,' which the band never received or saw, produced by someone the band has never heard of," they continued. "The band is exploring what remedies may be available to them in the US in relation to these untrue and baseless allegations."
While Muse are wrapped up in legal woes over their last Grammy-winning LP, the band are also prepping for the release of their next set, The 2nd Law, which arrives October 2 through Helium 3/Warner Bros.
Muse issued a statement yesterday (September 11) that "categorically denied" the claims of Charles Bolfrass, who said the band stole the interstellar ideas for The Resistance tracks "Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1 (Overture)," "Exogenesis: Symphony Part 2 (Cross-Pollination)" and "Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3 (Redemption)" from a "cinematic science-fiction rock opera" he had proposed to the group, also titled "Exogenesis." Muse are defending themselves by debating the timing of the case, which deals with material off a three-year-old LP. Bolfrass claims he had sent the material back in 2005.
"The claim is complete nonsense," the band said in a statement. "It speaks volumes that the album in question was released a full three years ago, and yet this is the first that has been heard of these groundless allegations."
While Bolfrass is asking for $3.5 million in his suit, which accuses the act of copyright infringement, unfair trade practices and unfair competition, Muse say that they hadn't even actually seen Bolfrass's Exogenesis treatment and will apparently fight to clear their name over the legal conundrum.
"[The lawsuit is] based on a 'screenplay,' which the band never received or saw, produced by someone the band has never heard of," they continued. "The band is exploring what remedies may be available to them in the US in relation to these untrue and baseless allegations."
While Muse are wrapped up in legal woes over their last Grammy-winning LP, the band are also prepping for the release of their next set, The 2nd Law, which arrives October 2 through Helium 3/Warner Bros.
