A UK tribute act to world-renowned band The Drifters has been banned from using its name – Drifters Tribute Revue – after a High Court order.
The founder of the band, Richie Sampson, must now pay a total of £30,000 in costs and either change the band’s name or stop using it altogether after Prism Music Group and the Treadwell Drifters successfully protected their rights over it.
47-year-old Richie, who is also a science teacher, said that his band was accused of “passing off” as The Drifters, despite making every effort possible to emphasise to audiences that it was a tribute act.
He added that: “I have performed alongside long-standing members of The Drifters – Ray Lewis and Roy Hemmings.”
Drifters Tribute Revue had previously been voted as the best show of its kind by the Agents Association of Great Britain and performed at venues across the UK, including celebrity performances for Sir Trevor McDonald, Tom Cruise and footballers David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand, among others.
Currently, The Drifters stars Michael Williams, Pierre Herelle, Ryan King and Carlton Powell, and the daughter of original band member George Treadwell still owns the rights to the name along with Prism Music Group.
In the UK they had seven top ten hits including Saturday Night At The Movies, My Girl, and Stand By Me.
Other tribute performers are being warned that their names must be distinct enough to the original act to ensure that they do not face legal repercussions.