Metallica’s Merch Company Sues to Stop Bootleg Merch Sales Ahead of St. Louis Show

Surprise, surprise — Metallica are once again getting litigious against folks trying to make a buck off of their name.

Their touring merch company, Merch Traffic, just filed a lawsuit in St. Louis federal court to try to put a stop to bootleg merch sales at their show in the city this coming weekend, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Of course, it’s hard to know exactly how difficult something like a ban on bootleg merch sales would be to enforce. While it is technically copyright infringement to recreate a band’s logo, many times these bootleggers are printing on demand or even traveling around, so it seems like a long shot to try and sue a city to hold them liable. But the endgame here is to be able to grant law enforcement permission to destroy the merch.

The suit was officially filed on October 26 in advance of the November 3 and 5 shows at St. Louis, claiming copyright infringement by “various John and Jane Does seeking to sell merch with a counterfeit Metallica label.” They are hoping to get law enforcement the green light to confiscate and destroy bootleg items.

“The infringing merchandise is of the same general appearance as plaintiff’s merchandise and is likely to cause confusion among prospective purchasers. Further, the infringing merchandise sold and to be sold by defendants is generally of inferior quality.”

The company has filed similar suits relating to bootleg merch in New Jersey, New York, and Texas — because heaven forbid any of these big names lose a buck.

“Upon information and belief, (bootleggers) will continue to engage in such infringing activities in this state and elsewhere … and are likely to continue such activities throughout the tour, to the great injury of plaintiff and (Metallica).”

So, if you’re headed to the Metallica shows in that area this weekend, steer clear of the bootleg merch — the law is watching!