Metallica

Metallica is generating a lot of work for a lot of lawyers these days. The latest installment sees the band taking legal action against lingerie giant Victoria's Secret and several other companies for trademark infringement over their use of the name Metallica.

Victoria's Secret has been marketing a "Metallica" line of lip liners, and according to the band's lawyer, Jill Pietrini of Manatt Phelps and Phillips, a demand letter and negotiations failed to resolve the matter which caused the lawyers to file a suit with the California courts. Prior to the corporation itself being served, however, the company responded with a settlement offer.

The lawyers are also taking action against Pierre Cardin for a "Metallica" tuxedo, and a company that makes "Metallica" nail files according to Pietrini.

Last year, another firm representing Metallica launched a suit against Amazon.com for selling an illicit bootleg record on their website. That case is still active.

Metallica's name has also been kicking around the courts in San Jose as the City of San Jose attempt to sue Tower Records for their part in staging a June, 1996 Metallica appearance that officials say got out of hand. The concert drew 10,000 fans and tied up traffic for hours. Shortly after the event, the City Attorney announced that criminal charges would be filed against the store and other parties involved in the concert for disturbing the peace, obstructing traffic and failure to obtain a permit.

Metallica apparently dodged that bullet when their label, Electra, agreed to donate $150,000 to area schools. According to a report in the San Jose Mercury News, Tower Records would not agree to do the same and were subsequently made to face the charges. According to the paper, the City quietly dropped the criminal charges late last year and have now initiated a civil suit.

In other Metallica news, watch for Megadeth to include a new version of Metallica's "Call of Ktulu" on the album they're currently recording in Nashville. The song was co-written by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine.

Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots)

Jailed Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland appeared before Judge Larry Fidler in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday (Jan. 20), where the singer answered charges that he failed to comply with one of the terms of his probation (rumored to be his failure to submit a scheduled urine sample to a local drug rehabilitation center).

According to Sandi Gibbons, spokesperson for the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, Weiland will be released later Wednesday from county jail, where he has been since Friday (allstar, Jan. 19 ). His probation was reinstated, but not before the singer received a short and curt lecture from Judge Fidler.

"[Judge] Fidler said if there is any significant further violation, Weiland will do a 'minimum of a year in county jail,'" says Gibbons. "He then told Weiland, 'It's getting to the point where state prison is a consideration. Rules are rules. They are the same for you as they are for anyone on the street... I'm not going to cut you any slack.'"

Weiland's defense team called two witnesses on his behalf: Mustavo Mojarro, Wieland's probation officer; and Ed Ward, the admissions director of the Impact Drug and Alcohol Center, where Weiland was sentenced to 90 days as part of his probation (allstar, Aug. 12, 1998 ). Mojarro reported to the court that other than the slip-up at hand, Weiland had been fulfilling all aspects of his probation properly and had been testing clean for drug use.

Ward then told the court that Impact had sent a letter to the judge a week ago stating that Weiland had not completely complied with all aspects of the program and had been terminated from the program, according to Gibbons. He also stated that Weiland's attitude could use improvement. "Ward indicated that there may be some attitude problem, because he said although he'd been doing well and testing clean, he had not made a significant, complete change of behavior," says Gibbons.

Ward visited Weiland in jail over the weekend, where he says the singer appeared very down on himself. "[Ward] said he found [Weiland] very chagrined, and that he appeared as low as he'd ever seen him," says Gibbons. However, Weiland did indicate that he was interested in rejoining the program at Impact.

When asked by the judge if he admitted violating his probation, Weiland, clad in courthouse blues and sporting a mohawk, responded, "Yes I do, your Honor." Judge Fidler ordered frequent progress report hearings for the singer, the first of which is scheduled for March 26.

Perry Farrell (Jane's Adicction, Porno For Pyros)

There are rumors speculating... perdón, dicen que el cantante Perry Farrel estará en la isla en febrero 11 y 12 celebrando unos club dates de techno o algo así. Esos mismos dos días son los de Histeria Boricua 2, así que sorry Mr Crackhead!

Rey
Metallica me va a demandar