The State Of Illinois in the US has passed a new law that will force tribute bands to clearly state they are not the original act that they mimic. Tribute bands who violate the new laws could be fined up to $50,000, have any licence to perform cancelled and be forced to pay damages to the original group or artist.
The new laws are in response to a campaign being staged by the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame who claim that some tribute acts promote themselves in such a way that they appear like they are the original act, when they are not. Mary Wilson of the Supremes, a supporter of that campaign, welcomed the new laws. She said that she had filed several lawsuits against groups claiming to be the Supremes, but that those suits had been generally unsuccessful because there were no laws under which to enforce them. Calling the new state rules "a wonderful victory for artists", she told reporters: "From now on when the public goes to a rock 'n' roll show in the area, they can be sure the artist is the original, and not some rip-off band".
Bob Crosby of the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame added that the new laws give artists "long overdue respect, protect artists' legacies and give hope to the vocal group artists that have suffered identity theft." Crosby's organisation is trying to get similar rules adopted in all US states - Connecticut and Pennsylvania have already enacted such laws.