Supernova defends itself against Sony/CBS' “Rock Star” band

Contributed by ribeye. Posted by aubin on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 12:00 PM (EDT)

90s punk/pop trio Supernova has found itself in a conflict with a new major label act with the same name. The band was formed in 1989 in Costa Mesa, California and released their first record, Ages Three and Up on Atlantic followed by dates on the Warped Tour in 1995 and 1999 and a tour with the Buzzcocks. The band also recorded the famous track "Chewbacca" for Kevin Smith's Clerks.

The band has run into conflict with a new "Rock Star" reality show project which will feature an unknown fronting a band backed by Motley Crue's Tommy Lee, and Jason Newsted of Metallica, and Gilby Clarke of Guns 'n' Roses. According to the established Supernova, the major label, when confronted: "flipped the real Supernova the royal corporate bird."

More information on the conflict is expected to play out on the band's myspace page.

The band continues to tour in support of their 2002 release, Pop as a Weapon released on Sympathy for the Record Industry.

May 13, 2006	Detroit Bar	Costa Mesa, CA
May 16, 2006	Catalyst	Santa Cruz, CA
May 17, 2006	Slim's	San Francisco, CA
May 18, 2006	El Dorado	Lancaster, CA
May 19, 2006	El Rey Theatre	Los Angeles, CA
May 20, 2006	Alpine	Ventura, CA

News (38 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

Shouldn't be much more than a payout. That's a pretty long history of use.

kingofpain (April 29, 2006)

Chewbacca!!

strungoutferriswheel (April 29, 2006)

What a wookie!!!

VStoriesFallen (April 29, 2006)

I really hope that CBS will change the name.

colin (April 29, 2006)

did he just say, "making fuck?"

Coldwaffles (April 29, 2006)

What a wookie!

Someone (April 29, 2006)

1. It's not copyright infringement, therefore it doesn't matter.

2. Hot Water Music had this problem. and they made out fine.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

you're right, it's not copyright infringement, it's trademark infringement. copyrights apply to things like songs, articles, books, etc. trademarks apply to names, logos, etc. ever see that little TM or R with a circle sign next to a logo? that's what that's for, and it's not necessary to add that to a name in order to be covered by trademark law.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

Well then i suppose Supernova can sue the other Supernova.....and they will lose... not b/c they don't have the big money lawyers, but b/c it won't hold up in court.

SalsaShark (April 29, 2006)

This thread needs 10x more the Clerks references. Let me add to that list with my name.

In another case, I never figured out how the Ataris made it by with their name. It's a direct unmistakable reference to a famous brand. How the hell did they make it by?

Someone (April 29, 2006)

because it is an outdated video game. maybe if they were called the x-boxs or playstation 2s then it would make sense.

SalsaShark (April 29, 2006)

Outdated or not, that's not the point. "Atari" is a recognizable brand.

Keep in mind, The Ataris have been around longer than the X-Box or PS2. They've been around since 1994... if they named themselves the X-Boxes that system wouldn't be named that today. Also, at that point in 1994 (If not that, 1998 for sure) Atari was still producing games.

___waltz (April 29, 2006)

That doesn't mean Atari really gives a shit, it's not a law, it's up to the trademark holder.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

thank you

colin (April 29, 2006)

i'd comment, but i'm not even supposed to be here today.

druhol (April 29, 2006)

Buncha trademark-infringing savages in this town.

___waltz (April 29, 2006)

That was my favorite line in the movie. Well, you know, the original one. Which is saying a lot.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

my band colecovision never gets any shit.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

No one's heard of you, though.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

haha fooled you! it was a joke. boy are you a dummy.

skaboom (April 29, 2006)

I think two entities can have the same name if they are not in the same business. Another video game company couldn't name their system Atari because it would get confused with the original, but no one is going to buy an Ataris cd and think it is a video game.

Otherwise tons of bands could get sued. Bouncing Souls could get sued by Doc Marten or whoever had that original campaign for "bouncing soles". American Football could get sued by the NFL, None More Black could get sued by the producers of This Is Spinal Tap, and Jawbreaker by Nestle.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

all jedi had was bunch of muppets

Someone (April 29, 2006)

so, and?

___waltz (April 29, 2006)

"More information on the conflict is expected to play out on the band's myspace page."

Supernova says: Stop using r name!!!@!~
CBS says: OMG UR A SLUT.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

thirty-seven!?

kingofpain (April 29, 2006)

In a row?

Someone (April 30, 2006)

37,my girlfriend sucked 37 dicks

kingofpain (April 29, 2006)

I don't care if she's my cousin or not, I'm gonna knock those boots again tonight.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

Damn i haven't heard this band for years.

David_Arquette (April 29, 2006)

I can't get into Kevin Smith's stuff at all.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was funny when I was 12, though.

Someone (April 29, 2006)

it's a very new jersey geek comic book, goatee kind of thing. hard to get into.

Scruffy (April 29, 2006)

Stop making me feel old!

I was 18 when Dogma came out. Though, I'm sure that'll make someone else on here feel old. Maybe getting his movies is an age thing.

StayOnTarget (April 29, 2006)

Pop as a Weapon is such a good record. I'm not so impressed with the rest of their music; there was a huge decrease in quality once Hank left. Hank's work with Servotron, where he was known as 00zX1, was, and remains, incredible.

I think I got those stage names right.

secret_superstar (April 29, 2006)

don't forget about his time with man or astro-man. i think some of the best stuff they ever did was while he was in the band.

StayOnTarget (April 30, 2006)

Definitely. The band was at their peak during that period.

secret_superstar (April 29, 2006)

honestly, one of the most fun bands ever. i wish i could get another copy of the "kids show" video that they put out. mine is getting pretty beat up.

Someone (April 30, 2006)

fuck!!! i can't believe supernova is playing s.f. and i can't be there!. supernova is so awesome and the 2 times i saw them were some of the most fun shows i've ever seen. their albums instantly bring a smile to my face. everyone needs to see this band.

Someone (April 30, 2006)

Maybe they'll get a bunch of cash like the original Bad Ronald did.