The Black Keys Sue Over Unauthorized Use of "Tighten Up"
Singing and songwriting duo The Black Keys has filed a lawsuit against a New Jersey-based financial institution -- Valley National Bank -- and a Manhattan advertising agency for unauthorized use of the award-winning band's song "Tighten Up" in a television commercial.

July 23, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Singing and songwriting duo The Black Keys has filed a lawsuit against a New Jersey-based financial institution -- Valley National Bank -- and a Manhattan advertising agency for unauthorized use of the award-winning band's song "Tighten Up" in a television commercial.

The suit seeks injunctive and monetary relief against both Valley National and Della Femina/Rothschild/Jeary Partners, accusing both parties of willfully using portions of "Tighten Up" to promote the bank's products and services without permission from either The Black Keys themselves or their record label, Nonesuch Records. According to Courthouse News Services, the suit follows on the heels of several ignored cease-and-desist letters sent by the record company to try and convince the agency to stop using the song and to settle the matter amicably.

The suit names no specific amount of damages sought, and the court will be forced to find out if, how, and in what amount the band members and/or Nonesuch Records has been damaged by the unlicensed use of the song in commercials that ran for approximately a two-week period before and until the 2011 Grammy Awards, held in February of this year.

With the filing of this suit, The Black Keys and Nonesuch Records have taken affirmative steps to protect their intellectual property. If your licensed, copyrighted or trademarked materials are being used without your permission, seek the advice of a skilled intellectual property attorney in your area to learn more about your legal rights and options.

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