Eric Clapton Archives

Eric Clapton (also known as the Kanye West of boomers) and his management seem to have realized that winning a lawsuit against a 55-year-old German widow over selling a bootleg CD might not be the best look for ol' Slowhand. On Wednesday, Clapton's management released a statement that's basically a long legalese version of the classic "Sorry not sorry" and somehow seems to imply that they didn't realize who they were suing until it's too late. The management also absorbs the blame from Clapton, because it's not their names in the headlines, after all. Of course, this would all be way more believable if Clapton hadn't spent the last 20+ months ruining any goodwill he'd built up from the 20th century with his feverishly hot COVID takes and poor taste in musical partners. Check out the statement posted on Clapton's fan club website below. "Given the widespread and often misleading press reports about a recent bootleg case involving a woman in Germany, the following provides clarification to set the record straight. Germany is one of several countries where sales of unauthorized and usually poor-quality illegal bootleg CDs are rife, which harms both the industry and purchasers of inferior product. Over a period of more than 10 years the German lawyers appointed by Eric Clapton, and a significant number of other well-known artists and record companies, have successfully pursued thousands of bootleg cases under routine copyright procedures. It is not the intention to target individuals selling isolated CDs from their own collection, but rather the active bootleggers manufacturing unauthorised copies for sale. In the case of an individual selling unauthorised items from a personal collection, if following receipt of a “cease and desist” letter the offending items are withdrawn, any costs would be minimal, or might be waived. Eric Clapton’s lawyers and management team (rather than Eric personally) identifies if an item offered for sale is illegal, and a declaration confirming that is signed, but thereafter Eric Clapton is not involved in any individual cases, and 95% of the cases are resolved before going to Court. This case could have been disposed of quickly at minimal cost, but unfortunately in response to the German lawyers’ first standard letter, the individual’s reply included the line (translation): “feel free to file a lawsuit if you insist on the demands”. This triggered the next step in the standard legal procedures, and the Court then made the initial injunction order. If the individual had complied with the initial letter the costs would have been minimal. Had she explained at the outset the full facts in a simple phone call or letter to the lawyers, any claim might, have been waived, and costs avoided. However, the individual appointed a lawyer who appealed the injunction decision. The Judge encouraged the individual to withdraw the appeal to save costs, but she proceeded. The appeal failed and she was ordered to pay the costs of the Court and all of the parties. However, when the full facts of this particular case came to light and it was clear the individual is not the type of person Eric Clapton, or his record company, wish to target, Eric Clapton decided not to take any further action and does not intend to collect the costs awarded to him by the Court. Also, he hopes the individual will not herself incur any further costs. Eric Clapton Management 22nd December 2021"

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton’s Management Puts Out Statement About Winning CD Lawsuit, Losing Court of Public Opinion

Brian May Calls Anti-Vaxxers, Including Eric Clapton, ‘Fruitcakes’

The 50 Best Live Albums of the 1970s

Van Morrison and Eric Clapton Are At It Again in ‘The Rebels’

Van Morrison Blames ‘Freedom of Speech’ Over Negative Response to Anti-Lockdown Songs

Eric Clapton and Van Morrison’s Anti-Lockdown Track Is Out Now

Van Morrison and Eric Clapton Team Up for Anti-Lockdown Song ‘Stand and Deliver’

Rolling Stones Preview Steel Wheels Live DVD Featuring Axl Rose, Eric Clapton

MTV Unplugged Turns 30: Here Are the 30 Best Performances

Watch the Trailer for a New Laurel Canyon Documentary Featuring Tom Petty, Brian Wilson, Fiona Apple, and More

Eric Clapton Dedicates “Jingle Bells” to Avicii on New Christmas Album

Taylor Swift Makes Rare Press Appearance to Interview Beatles Muse Pattie Boyd

Eric Clapton is Being Sued for Attributing Unplugged‘s “Alberta” to the Wrong Blues Singer

Mac DeMarco Beefs Up Eric Clapton’s ‘Change the World’ on Foggy Cover

Eric Clapton Honors the Late Jack Bruce With Touching New Song

10 Albums You Can Hear Now: Dave Grohl, Marnie Stern, ‘Spring Breakers,’ and More

Photos From the 12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief

The 36 Most Memorable Moments at the 12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief

Police, KT Tunstall, Mayer Play London’s Hard Rock Calling

IMPACT

How Ty Herndon Turned a Stint in Treatment into a Collection of No-Filler Comeback Tracks

VetsAid to Feature Final James Gang Set, Dave Grohl, NIN, Black Keys

Bloom Vol 23: Gratitude at The Gorge

Anthony Green Faced a Familiar Demon in the Creation of Boom. Done

you may like

more from spin

The 50 Best Albums of 1982

A Woodstock Reminiscence

Julia Michaels: Authentic, Honest & True

Get New Music, News, Reviews, And More Delivered Right To Your Inbox.