New York - The owner of a website that streams vintage rock concerts and sells rock memorabilia collected by legendary concert promoter Bill Graham has filed a countersuit against the musicians and two major record labels who sued him for copyright infringement, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Wofgang's Vault website, owned by Bill Sagan, was sued in December by a group of artists including the Grateful Dead, Santana and Led Zeppelin, and labels Sony BMG and Warner Music Group, who claim, among other things, that Sagan must seek artists' approval to broadcast the vintage recordings.

"Far from being about bootlegging, consumer confusion or infringement of any sort, this case is actually a blatant attempt by two of the largest record labels in the world -- using artists as a front -- to secure new income streams and destroy a legitimate business," Sagan's countersuit states.

Sagan is asking a judge to affirm that he legally acquired Graham's archive, and is also suing for libel, fraudulent deceit, breach of contract, tortious interference and civil conspiracy, seeking unspecified damages.

A trial date has not yet been set in the matter.

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/2slo3q (Hollywood Reporter)

http://www.wolfgangsvault.com