Led Zeppelin, the Doors, the Grateful Dead and Carlos Santana are suing Wolfgang's Vault, which was launched three years ago as an Internet merchant for the vast trove of memorabilia amassed by the
late concert promoter Bill Graham. The Web site ignited considerable fan excitement last month when it began streaming hundreds of rare concert moments that Graham filmed during the glory days of
rock.
The complaint filed Monday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco claims that the memorabilia sales and streaming of performance footage are clear exploitations of the
intellectual property and artistic success of the plaintiffs, who are described in the suit as "among the most legendary recording and performing artists of all time." The lawsuit names as defendant
William E. Sagan, who acquired a warehouse piled high with Graham's relics for about $6 million.
"If people are buying something because it says the Doors on it then, you know, you
should give the Doors some of the money," says Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek.
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