After today, I'm even more convinced... Options

[Live4Life]

Everything is down because an announcement is coming. Even ed being on the you tube banner is a big something! God I hope it happens just so you naysayers can fuck right off. Nick makes you all look like idiots.

[Voodoo Lady]

Looks like I was wrong all along.

You surrender! Awe, I was SO going to rub it in your face!

I'm so excited for LIVE! Words can't describe.

[SJN1279]

Dan, can we change our banner to reflect Live from 25 years ago to keep with their trend?

This post has been edited by SJN1279: Aug 19 2016, 6:37 pm

[Bremang]

Wow, seems like they will be re-designing their pages. Anniversary release seems plausible. Reunion still seems a stretch.

[mfitz804]

My balls itch...obvious sign of a Live reunion.

[throwing_cheetahs]

I still think it's a possible retirement but i hope not, we'll just have to wait and see obviously.

TC

This post has been edited by throwing_cheetahs: Aug 19 2016, 10:49 pm

[LiveForNow]

Live also took down a bunch of their YouTube videos... including Pat going "Off the Record". There are currently no videos with anything Shinn related.

I'm excited!

This post has been edited by LiveForNow: Aug 19 2016, 11:37 pm

[LiveForNow]

I admit this is grasping at straws, but this video was posted three days ago and Ed refers to himself as Ed Kowalczyk from Live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s8gZjbAFHk

[Bob]

CT posted on Twitter just now that he's "Grateful, blessed and thankful... that's all for now", along with a picture of the Dr. Seuss poem "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

https://twitter.com/thechadtaylor/status/767108347031977986

I think they're done for the foreseeable future.

[ADAD]

My recollection of the litigation history between Ed and CCP is shaky. At any point, was there an argument that the intellectual property to the name LIVE was owned by Ed or was any other argument made that any band marketing itself as LIVE must include the 4 original members (or maybe even just Ed)? Were all the cases settled or was there any litigation pending?

Also, in that youtube video someone posted from 3 days ago (and one can assume was taken recently), Ed says "This is your friend Ed Kowalczyk from..." and then the sound is obviously edited out.

Strange times.

[Ecstatic Fanatic]

Strange but interesting times at least. Anyone else notice that Chad's twitter has thebandlive.com as his URL? I don't follow twitter much but I don't recall seeing that yesterday. Would seem weird to change their website and reset all their social media just to announce a retirement. Perhaps retiring from new music but touring based on the old material? Stay tuned, it's anyone's guess

[Bob]

Only thing I can find is this:

http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news...using-band-name

"Lead singer Ed Kowalczyk wants to use "Live" as part of his solo act, but the band's other original members are attempting to put a stop to that in a new trademark lawsuit.

Technically, it's not the other band members, including Chad Taylor (lead guitar), Patrick Dahlheimer (bass), and Chad Gracey (drums) who are doing the suing, but rather Action Front Unlimited, the company that was set up by the band members and now holds the group's trademarks. Each member of Live has an equal share of the company, according to a lawsuit filed in New York federal court.

Kowalczyk left the band in 2009 as a new vocalist (Chris Shinn) came in.

Since then, Kowalczyk has let the world know he's still "Alive," the title of his solo album. He's said to be touring as "Ed Kowalcyk of Live."

The other band members aren't happy with what Kowalczyk has been doing so Action Front is suing. The former lead singer, who played a bit role in David Fincher's Fight Club, is being accused of not informing the public he is no longer a member of Live nor telling them that his music isn't endorsed by the band. This has caused "confusion," says the lawsuit. Booking agents, theaters, arenas and the press are allegedly being deceived into thinking Kowalcyk still has affiliation with the group.

The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction plus $2 million in statutory damages for claims of trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and trademark dilution.

Often, in cases like this, it comes to who has continuously exploited the band name and who is recognized by the public as holding the greatest claim to the mark. Of course, the nature of the business partnership can also have an impact. In the Live situation, each of the four members had signed an Employment Agreement with the company organized to run the band's services."

My recollection of the litigation history between Ed and CCP is shaky. At any point, was there an argument that the intellectual property to the name LIVE was owned by Ed or was any other argument made that any band marketing itself as LIVE must include the 4 original members (or maybe even just Ed)? Were all the cases settled or was there any litigation pending?

[Bob]

thebandlive.com redirects to freaks4live.com, which is a blank page. The Twitter handle @freaks4live is dead as well.

I don't know what's going on either, but leaving vague posts on the internet isn't helping anyone at all. If it's over, say as much. If it's a break, say as much. Just say *something*. IMO, the fanbase that's left deserves at least that. We've followed them through thick and thin and I think that's perfectly reasonable a request.

(In before someone says we don't deserve anything and they can do what they want.)

Strange but interesting times at least. Anyone else notice that Chad's twitter has thebandlive.com as his URL? I don't follow twitter much but I don't recall seeing that yesterday. Would seem weird to change their website and reset all their social media just to announce a retirement. Perhaps retiring from new music but touring based on the old material? Stay tuned, it's anyone's guess

This post has been edited by Bob: Aug 20 2016, 5:51 pm

[Voodoo Lady]

CT posted on Twitter just now that he's "Grateful, blessed and thankful... that's all for now", along with a picture of the Dr. Seuss poem "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

https://twitter.com/thechadtaylor/status/767108347031977986

I think they're done for the foreseeable future.

Okay, now I'm really confused. If CCP have decided to retire, why has Ed been so quiet on social media? The litigation stuff, by the way of which I'm so tired of it being rehashed, should have had a ruling long ago. And it being settled, I would think the three of them wouldn't really have anything to do with Ed continuing to post on Facebook, make his generic albums and tour casinos. And secondly, why would a retirement cause them to wipe all of Shinn's existence away? Leave him as part of your history.

I also agree with you Bob, that we the fans have been dicked around long enough and we deserve an announcement and/or explanation. I officially ran out of patience with the cryptic messages four weeks ago. To get all of the loyal fans excited about a reunion and then to just crush our hearts would be really low down. If that's the case, I want to say at this moment, they will no longer have my support in anything (i.e. Gracious Few).

This post has been edited by Voodoo Lady: Aug 20 2016, 8:30 pm

[mfitz804]

Strange but interesting times at least. Anyone else notice that Chad's twitter has thebandlive.com as his URL? I don't follow twitter much but I don't recall seeing that yesterday. Would seem weird to change their website and reset all their social media just to announce a retirement. Perhaps retiring from new music but touring based on the old material? Stay tuned, it's anyone's guess

That is possibly the most ridiculous assessment of this info possible. Why in the world would they announce a "retirement" from new music? And what part of it says anything about touring with the old material?

A lot of you are REALLY stretching things in hopes of getting what you want.

Based on CT's post, I wouldn't expect to hear any news about anything for a long time. That was basically an announcement that you should give up hope.