Written by Peter Whitehead, The Band Register
So I am saddened that V2 Records have been advised not to use the name Liberty - but are pressing ahead regardless. What surprises me is that the dice are loaded against them from the start. There is a pre-existing UK band of the name who have released records in the UK and the USA and have common-law US trademark protection in the States. They have a band of Popstars rejects who may well appeal to the UK's love of the underdog - but will the punters love them when they find out that they have taken a name that is already in use by another British band? And V2 are themselves an underdog label seeking to quench the flow of haemorrhaging funds. To me it doesn't make sense. They need all the goodwill they can get. Maybe they believe that the controversy will work in their favour. I hope that commonsense will prevail and that they'll make the minor adjustment to the name which will work in everyone's best interests.
Does anyone else get the impression that V2 choke at the prospect of success - as if they have a corporate death wish? Could this be one for the message board?"
Written by Peter Whitehead/ The Band Register
www.bandreg.com