Back in the fall, the Black Keys settled lawsuits with Home Depot and Pizza Hut regarding the improper use of their music in television commercials. Now, the blues rock duo have launched a similar suit against casino company Pinnacle Entertainment and Manhattan Production Music.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that that the suit was filed last week in New York federal court. According to the band's complaint, Pinnacle used music that sounds "substantially similiar" to their song "Howlin' for You" from 2010's Brothers.
To support the Black Keys' case, their complaint alleges that casino reps have publicly admitted (on both YouTube and Twitter) that the music was licensed specifically to sound like the Black Keys. The suit reportedly claims copyright infringement, unfair competition, and a violation of trademark law in regards to a false designation of origin.
If the Black Keys can score a victory here, it might inspire other bands to launch similar campaigns. After all, this is hardly the first time that a band have been ripped off in a commercial.
Watch one of Pinnacle's allegedly infringing casino commercials below, along with the original version of "Howlin' for You."
The Hollywood Reporter notes that that the suit was filed last week in New York federal court. According to the band's complaint, Pinnacle used music that sounds "substantially similiar" to their song "Howlin' for You" from 2010's Brothers.
To support the Black Keys' case, their complaint alleges that casino reps have publicly admitted (on both YouTube and Twitter) that the music was licensed specifically to sound like the Black Keys. The suit reportedly claims copyright infringement, unfair competition, and a violation of trademark law in regards to a false designation of origin.
If the Black Keys can score a victory here, it might inspire other bands to launch similar campaigns. After all, this is hardly the first time that a band have been ripped off in a commercial.
Watch one of Pinnacle's allegedly infringing casino commercials below, along with the original version of "Howlin' for You."
