Heir Expert Sues Big Company Through ELVIS Law

JAKARTA - The heirs of Johnny Cash have officially filed a lawsuit against a large beverage company, Coca-Cola.

The lawsuit alleges the company has illegally imitated the voice of the legendary country's music icon in their latest ad content.

The demands in the spotlight were registered in Nashville on Tuesday, November 25. This case soon became the first case to receive high attention under the newly passed ELVIS Law in Tennessee.

Introduced last year, the ELVIS Law aims to ensure the protection of the voices of artists from commercial use without permission.

Cash trusts argue thatruly Coca-Cola, which has been in the air during football match broadcasts since last August, features vocals that sound "very similar" to Cash's voice, hosted by tribute artist Shawn Barker.

Although previously Cash guardianship had granted Cash music usage permits for advertising purposes including the song "Ragged Old Flag" and Personal Jesus when the Super Bowl show "they claimed that this time Coca-Cola deliberately ignored and ignored the proper path of approval.

As reported by Billboard, Team Warnock, a lawyer representing Cash heirs, made a very straightforward statement regarding the lawsuit to Coca-Cola

"Stealing an artist's voice is theft. It is theft of his integrity, identity and humanity," said Warnock.

"This guardianship filed a lawsuit to protect Johnny Cash's voice and to send a message that protects the voices of all artists whose music enriches our lives," he continued.

The lawsuit specifically demands the issuance of a court order (injunction) to immediately withdraw the ad from circulation.

In addition, demands also include requests for financial compensation for alleged violations of Cash publicity rights, violations of federal false support law, and violations of consumer protection laws in Tennessee.

Hingga saat ini, Coca-Cola belum memberikan tanggapan publik terhadap klaim yang dilayangkan tersebut.

In addition, Shawn Barker himself, the tribute artist, was not listed as the defendant.

However, his management expressed joy at his involvement in the advertising campaign.