http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/news_3473

interesting

I wonder what would have been on the deluxe re-issues?

Maybe the best demos as bonustracks or something like that...

I'm not to smart when it somes to court stuff and whats legal or not.
So what exactly did Virgin Records do?

They apparently used Smashing Pumpkins' name, music, or likeness without prior consent in an advertisement or public work.

could they release the special edition albums under their own label? or are they licensed with virgin? if they won, wouldn't they be totally separated from virgin?

Im not sure how it works but I dont think they'll be seperated as Virgin still owns all the rights for the songs/things the band did/recorded under their name; they'll prob just get loads of money, but its basically about image and pride etc... - the band doesnt want their name used to advertise whatever virgin wants to so they can get more money.

But if the band could get seperated from virgin and release old stuff, then that would truly be something...

Ha. Right before the big V Fest!

Haha. Seriously, there's another "fuck you" Billy's giving Virgin.
Maybe we haven't seen that Metro DVD because it's still under the Virgin label and Billy isn't able to bring it out the way he wants it.

Hole in the story:

He's quoted as saying they would never give the right to do this to Virgin or "any other entity." Then how the fuck did that's the way end up on a Ford commercial? Ford is an entity, isn't it?

Not defending Virgin....just confused by that quote.

...And I don't think they'd ever be able to re-release old albums because Vigin owns, and always will own those copyrights.

Virgin used the Smashing Pumpkins' name without prior consent. However, they were fully aware and licensed That’s the Way to Ford. It sounds a little contradictory, but I think its two totally separate things. If Ford went a head and used That’s the Way without asking/paying for it, then the same thing would have happened to them.

PistolPete wrote:
Virgin used the Smashing Pumpkins' name without prior consent. However, they were fully aware and licensed That’s the Way to Ford. It sounds a little contradictory, but I think its two totally separate things. If Ford went a head and used That’s the Way without asking/paying for it, then the same thing would have happened to them.

no, no....I get that.

My point is that Billy is here publicly saying that they would never give ANY ENTITY permission to use thier music to promote something in commercials, but he did exactly that by allowing Ford to use that's the way.

Maybe he likes Ford cars a lot

:P
Ewww....

ghostchild wrote:
PistolPete wrote:
Virgin used the Smashing Pumpkins' name without prior consent. However, they were fully aware and licensed That’s the Way to Ford. It sounds a little contradictory, but I think its two totally separate things. If Ford went a head and used That’s the Way without asking/paying for it, then the same thing would have happened to them.

no, no....I get that.

My point is that Billy is here publicly saying that they would never give ANY ENTITY permission to use thier music to promote something in commercials, but he did exactly that by allowing Ford to use that's the way.
You've got a great point.

However, I think, after having read the RS interview and gaining a little more perspective on the situation, I can say that Billy is opposing Virgin not for legal reasons so much as the fact that Virgin - after having labeled SP's music as essentially fodder and refusing to release any deluxe editions because "no one cared" - went ahead and decided to use the Pumpkins' name to endorse a product, anyways. I think Billy views this as a gross hypocracy.

As for Ford, those commercials seemed to be carried primarily be indie acts who were seeking recognition. I think Billy realized the potential of this commercial as a vehicle for his latest single, and Ford as a company that didn't necessarily want to exploit him musically, like Virgin did.

In the end, though, it all comes down to Billy himself. I would have liked to see this question asked, and answered, in that interview...

Plus it's not like the Ford commercial was Billy driving a Focus saying how great it is. It was actually showcasing music and how the car interacts with it. I don’t know…it’s a very thin line.

I think fair play to SP/Billy. This is hypocritcal. Always best for music in general when the corperations leave it alone as much as possible.

So many different viewpoints, and isn't it a great thing? In my opinion, I hope Billy gets his f-ing music back from Virgin records... Something interesting to note, by the way, is that the French band, AIR, is releasing a special edition of their first album, with a DVD, and second disc full of B-Sides, Radio sessions, and Remixes... Can you guess which label they're on? VIRGIN RECORDS FRANCE!

L'bastards...