Beach Boys sue alleged music and memorabilia thieves
Published January 13th, 2006
The Beach Boys are seeking millions of dollars in damages from two men they claim stole recordings and memorabilia from a warehouse in order to sell them at auction.
The band claims Roy Sciacca and Allan Gaba violated the group’s copyright, trademark and “right of publicity” by trying to auction the goods in October.
They are seeking more than $20m (£11.3m) for the trademark claim alone, in the Los Angeles court action.
Californians Mr Gaba and Mr Sciacca were unavailable for comment.
According to the complaint, the band stored instruments, sheet music, photos, contracts and other items in Mr Gaba’s North Hollywood warehouse.
In 1994, the band decided to clear out the warehouse but claimed Mr Gaba had removed 13 to 25 boxes of their memorabilia without permission.
Last October, Mr Sciacca contacted UK-based auction house Cooper Owen and attempted to put the items up for sale, the legal action stated.
The auction was cancelled half an hour before it had been due to start.
The band’s statement claimed Mr Sciacca told Cooper Owen he had purchased the memorabilia two decades ago, and he had retained several boxes of their effects.
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