Monday, February 11, 2008

"Truth in Music Advertising" Bill to Get House Hearing Mon.

A bill that would outlaw deceptive impersonation of bands and musicians in public performances is to be heard in a House committee Monday.

HB 1196 aims to prevent bands and musicians from impersonating other performers without telling their audience who they really are. It is aimed at situations where a performance artist or group plays another group's or artist's music and pretends to be the original creator or performer of the music.

The bill, if enacted, would result in Colorado joining 18 other states with similar laws. It would impose a $5,000 to $15,000 civil penalty on impostors that use deceptive tactics.

According to a report posted at Colorado Confidential, Riesberg got the idea from a constituent who went to what he thought was a performance of a famous band at the Greeley Civic Center. It turned out the band that played was pretending to be the famous band.