NEW YORK (Reuters) – Producers of the blockbuster Broadway hit “Jersey Boys” have sued a touring stage show called “The Boys,” labeling it a “copycat” production that competes unfairly with the original musical.
“Jersey Boys” tells the rags-to-riches tale of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and has been one of Broadway’s highest grossing shows since it premiered there in 2005.
“The Boys” was created by former cast members of the original production, and says on its website it celebrates “the music of an era that lights up every generation. Music from The Beach Boys to Motown…and of course…The Four Seasons!”
“The Boys” ripped off the original production’s songs and texts, the suit said, and copied its overall look, staging and marketing techniques for their performances in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The lawsuit, which claims copyright infringement, was filed in Manhattan federal court late last week and made available to the public on Monday.
Court documents also said the name “The Boys” was “confusingly similar” to the “Jersey Boys” name.
The production’s use of a similar cast photograph and advertising materials were, “a deliberate and willful attempt to create public confusion and foster the misimpression” that the two shows are “associated or connected,” the suit said.
“Jersey Boys” called for an injunction against further performances of “The Boys” that make use of copyrighted or too similar materials, and asked for $150,000 in damages for each copyrighted song “The Boys” might have used.
“The Boys” business manager Ken Wirth was not immediately available for comment.
{Via }
