'The Boss' objects to suit adding his John Hancock

Bruce Springsteen, shown last August when he and the E. Street Band performed in at Zorrilla Stadium in Valladolid, Spain, backing the group’s “Working on a Dream” album. PHOTO: REUTERS

Maybe the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers should have checked with the rock legend revered by fans as The Boss before they added his name to a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement.

ASCAP filed suit last week in New York accusing a bar, Connolly's Pub and Restaurant, of being the venue for an unidentified band that played three Bruce Springsteen songs in 2008, and charged a cover fee for those who stayed to listen.

Venues that hold live performances are supposed to pay an annual fee to ASCAP, which distributes royalties to songwriters. ASCAP alleged copyright infringement on the pub's part for not paying a licensing fee to use the tunes and added Mr. Springsteen's name to the suit.

But shortly thereafter, a statement was posted on Mr. Springsteen's Web site saying that he had no knowledge of the suit and would not have participated even if he had been asked.

The statement said that his representatives demanded “immediate removal of his name” as a party to the suit.

It's fitting that Mr. Springsteen, who's known for his sympathy for the little guy, would want no part of suing a cover band. Had he agreed to join the suit, however, it would have been intriguing to see whether The Boss' authority extends as far in the courtroom as it does from the stage.

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