Wisconsin Code § 100.185

Fraud, advertising musical performances
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(1) DEFINITIONS. In this section:
(a) “Performing group” means a vocal or instrumental group
that intends to advertise or perform under the name of a recording
group.
(b) “Recording group” means a vocal or instrumental group to
whom all of the following apply:
1. At least one member of the group has released a commercial sound recording under the name of a group.
2. The member identified in subd. 1. has a right by virtue of
use or operation to perform under the name of the group that released the commercial sound recording, and the member has not
abandoned the recording group’s name or the member’s affiliation with the group that released the commercial sound recording.
(c) “Sound recording” means a work that results from the fixation of a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds on a material
object, including a disc, tape, or other phonorecord.
(2) PRODUCTION. No person may advertise or conduct a live
musical performance or production in this state through the use
of a false, deceptive, or misleading affiliation, connection, or association between a performing group and a recording group. For
purposes of this subsection, an advertisement, production, or performance is not false, deceptive, or misleading if any of the following applies:
(a) The performing group is the authorized registrant and
owner of a service mark for that group registered in the U.S.
patent and trademark office.
(b) At least one member of the performing group was a member of the recording group.
(c) The live musical performance or production is identified
in all advertising and promotion as a salute or tribute and the
name of the performing group is not so closely related or similar
to the name of the recording group as to be misleading or confusing to a reasonable person.
(d) The performance or production is expressly authorized by
the recording group.
(3) ENFORCEMENT. (a) If the attorney general or a district attorney has reason to believe that a person is advertising or conducting or intends to advertise or conduct a live musical performance or production in violation of sub. (2), the attorney general
or district attorney may bring an action in the name of the state
against the person to restrain the violation by temporary or permanent injunction. If a court issues a permanent injunction
against a violation of this section by a defendant, the court may
also order the defendant to pay to a person injured by the violation any amounts or property the defendant obtained as a result of
the violation.
(b) A court may require a person who violates sub. (2) to forfeit an amount not less than $5,000 nor more than $15,000 per violation. Each performance or production in violation of sub. (2)
constitutes a separate violation.

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