2002 marks a decade since Liberty released their first single in the UK and to celebrate this milestone we are going to the High Court on 14 January to seek justice against Richard Branson�s label V2 and the 5 �flopstars� who have pinched our band name.
Despite checking with the Band Register (the recognised industry band name database) and original Liberty�s obvious listings in Music Week Directory 2001, the �flopstars�, their manager and V2 thought nothing of taking the name. As a result we can�t put our re-releases and new material into distribution.
The original Liberty started live gigs in the late 80�s and have since played Wembley Arena twice, appeared live on the Continent, won Capital Radio/Coca-Cola Young Band of the Year, released albums and singles in the UK and the USA and have put well over 10 years of their lives behind their name � Liberty. We are still going strong. This doesn�t seem to bother the �flopstars� though. �It�s our name now� seems to be their attitude.
Despite requests going back to June of this year, V2 refuse to change their band�s name and continue to be a party to the destruction of our band. The original Liberty will ask the Court to look at all this and confirm that in our business you just don�t take the name of another working band.
The arrogance and total lack of respect shown to us by this packaged band has left us no alternative but to fight for justice to save our years� of work, back catalogue and future.
We would like to thank all those within the industry, our friends and fans who have voiced their support.
LIBERTY �.
WHAT ABOUT EQUALITY AND FRATERNITY, EH?
Issued by Liberty
21st December 2001