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Smashing Pumpkins Sue Former Label

The Smashing Pumpkins have filed a lawsuit against their former label, Virgin Records, for damaging their reputation and image after the unapproved use of their name, music and image in a "Pepsi Stuff Promotion" presented by the soft drink company and Amazon.com.

"It's a frustrating situation honestly to be treated so poorly by a label where we had so much success," frontman Billy Corgan said in a written statement. "Recently they have ignored our pleas to give our fans special editions of our old albums, telling us they weren't interested so there is a tremendous amount of hypocrisy involved with them turning around and using us like this."

According to the lawsuit, "Virgin has deceived and confused the public into believing that (the Pumpkins were) affiliated with the promotion." A spokeswoman for Virgin declined to comment on the case, citing any pending litigation between the two parties. The Pumpkins' civil complaint asks for unspecified damages and an injunction against Virgin using the band's name or songs in future ads.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
03.27.08