Slipknot Threatens To Sue Mock Burger King Metal Band
Band Photo: Slipknot (?)
The Smoking Gun reports:
Claiming that its image and persona have been hijacked as part of a marketing campaign for Burger King's new chicken fries, the costumed heavy metal band Slipknot is threatening the fast food giant with legal action. In the below August 4 letter, the band's lawyers charge that Coq Roq--a mock metal band featured in new Burger King commercials--was created as a "look-alike, sound alike 'band' in order to influence the Slipknot generation to purchase Chicken Fries." Counsel for the band notes that Coq Roq--whose masked members are supposed to resemble badass chickens--has blatantly copied several of Slipknot's signature masks, including a gas mask, a kabuki-style face covering, and a mask with dreadlocks attached. Coq Roq's lead guitarist, The Talisman. Details of Slipknot's beef with Burger King surfaced in connection with an August 12 federal court filing made by the fast food company and its advertising firm. Burger King wants a U.S. District Court judge in Miami to issue a "declaratory judgment" that the Coq Roq campaign does not infringe on Slipknot's publicity and trademark rights. As for the similar masks, Burger King lawyers--who apparently read the metal mag Revolver--note that many groups "wear masks and/or make-up to accomplish a mask-like effect, including but not limited to the bands KISS, Gwar, Insane Clown Posse, Mushroomhead, Mudvayne, Marilyn Manson, Los Straitjackets, and the Spits."
Read the full article at The Smoking Gun.
Source: The Smoking Gun
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55 Comments on "Slipknot Threatens To Sue Mock BK Metal Band"
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7. writes:
I always thought Slipknot was a mediocre band, pretty good, but cool guys from interviews I've seen and their attitude about sh**. I'm starting to lose respect for them. They're charging like $40 a ticket on this next tour and have a lawsuit against BK. They arent' the first band to wear a costume, Gwar has been doing it for 15 yrs and before them was KISS.
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13. writes:
I thought somethin like this was gonna happen. Oh well, publicity like this you is the best kind. FREE. way to go and cop some of the spotlight without spending a dime. It is pretty lame that they even are considering sueing though. They won't win. I really hope that they are just doin it for the free publicity.Otherwise their gonna lose some fans.
14. writes:
I can see why they are threatening to sue BK. If you read the legal documents it states that BK contacted Roadrunner Records and asked them if Slipknot would agree to appear in a marketing campaign for them. Slipknot said no. Then BK went around them and created Coq Roq to appear similar to Slipknot. And I can see the resemblance between the two, such as the referenced masks above. No coincidence.
23. writes:
I will say this.Slipknot is NOT the first or only band to wear masks or anything, but it is obvious that Coq Roq is based on them, and no one but them.
They have the gas mask, the kabuki mask, the dreadlock mask, and the spike mask.It's obviously an imitation of Slipknot.
32. writes:
let me tell you this all of you ......ok ........slipknot and mushroomhead came out at the same time but mushroomhead firt pic of them taken in the singers back yard and slipknots pic was teken is n shawn(clown's) garage taken by his mom and slipknots pic wazzteken first so there you go of the fact slipknot vs mushroomhead .Slipknot wins.and i dont know wno Gwar slipknot is bigger becuz i heard of them before any of those pozer guys. thak you for reading my comment.
37. writes:
You should all get a life and stop worrying about who sues who for what because this is America where u can sue for anything. Boo hoo volume 3 sucked yada yada you should listen to it again and realize how much Slipknot has grown as a band. If you don't like em, then shut up and just leave it be.
38. writes:
Slipknot 666, your somewhat right for pointing that out, but they never patented the look, and they can't do that anyway. Well actually they probably could, but it would be highly unlikely that they would, because other bands use masks. Besides, masks aren't just limited to a chunk of cardboard with patterns on it that you put across your face. As others have pointed it, masks ALSO include face painted paterns and styles, and Kiss, GWAR, and others have already done this. Just because someone did it somewhat similiar to Slipknot's masks doesn't mean they can sue, but judging from the IQ of Slipknot's members, i'd say they think they're righteous enough to do so.
I feel sorry for them, because that is sad that they that just because they wear the masks, they automatically have that exact look patented. Just because I made up the word "Shmeh" doesnt mean that the person who originally made "Meh" should sue me. I mean its just silly. Besides, Slipknot shouldn't complain, that kind of ad would get them publicity, and its light humour anyway. Slipknot do heaps of stupid sh** in all their video's, so that shows they have a sense of humour (funnily enough) why should they go back on that and sue some burger company?
The only reason why they are doing this (after using the method of cancellation) is just a publicity stunt. They must be pretty stupid to pull that off, even more stupid if they haven't realised that people are turning their backs on them now, especially their fans.
39. writes:
Oh and on a ironic twist, Slipknot always do parodies of other movies and shows in their video's. For example, in the "Spit it out" video clip, they do a spinoff of 'The Shining'. Should the movie producer and actors of that movie sue them for doing that? Any logical human being would say no, why should Slipknot be any different with this burger company?
40. writes:
This is knd of sad. People are hating Slipknot now for suing BK. Hmm yeah in the legal documents they did ask is slipknot would be in the commercial and they said no so they created this as a way aound it slipknot has every right to sue them. it's sad though that people hate them for it though and are calling them sellouts when before this whole thing no one would have ever thought of calling them seelouts i would go on more butit's not like any one will listen..... BNK91@aol.com = email BNK91 = IM / AIM if anyone is up and wants to chat.....
41. writes:
I am a hardcore slipknot fan , i support the law suit against burgerking people who are calling slipknot sellouts are f..ing worthless piece of sh** mother f...ing back stabbbing worm infested c*** mother F...kers c*** sucking b**** a$$ whore son of a b****es burn in hell you stupid c*** mother f...krs
rott too does anyone elese have a bad comment against slipknot.
42. writes:
go f...ck your self stealth warrior dont you have a date to f...uk your dad tonight and your mom you panzee a$$ mother f..cker f..ck you too eric piece of sh....it f...uc your self too wicked you wretched spawn mother F.......u......c......k......e........r !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
44. writes:
45. writes:
rock on Slipknot! sue that coq! jus kiddin. this whole thing has stupid a$$ publicity conspiracy written on it. Roadrunner paid BK to create a masked mock metal band for the knot to sue for publicity (but i don't know cuz im pulling this idea outta my ass, like mosta slipknots publicity moves) o yeah, slipknot666 (mallcore fag), ur o so very stupid GWAR is so much better cuz they have a sense of humor
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1. sex writes:
what the fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck this is so gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay