lawsuits

The Velvet Underground Sues Warhol Foundation Over Banana Image

The Velvet Underground has filed a lawsuit against the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts, alleging that the organization illegally licensed Warhol’s iconic banana image from the cover of The Velvet Underground & Nico to products that have nothing to do with the band, the Post reports. According to the suit, “[the banana] has become so identified with The Velvet Underground … that members of the public, particularly those who listen to rock music, immediately recognize the banana design as the symbol of The Velvet Underground,” and thus the foundation’s use of the image for non–Velvet Underground business amounts to trademark infringement. The band is seeking unspecified damages. You might call this suit pretty bananas, but if your ego gets a little bruised, you could always file an a-peel. Or if one of the parties splits, the case could be turned over to the Foster system! Etc., etc., enjoy some banana puns.

The Velvet Underground Sues Warhol Foundation