February 05, 2010

By Associated Press

Bruce Springsteen wants his name off a lawsuit demanding licensing fees from a Manhattan bar where a band played his songs.

A statement on Springsteen's Web site said he didn't know about the lawsuit that was filed Wednesday (Feb. 3) in federal court and wouldn't have agreed to be a plaintiff if he had been asked.

It says Springsteen's representatives demanded the immediate removal of his name Thursday morning after learning about the lawsuit filed by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. ASCAP didn't immediately return a telephone call seeking comment Thursday night.

The suit claims Connolly's Pub violated Springsteen's copyrights by letting an unidentified band perform two of his songs for profit.

A man who answered the phone at Connolly's said the pub had no comment.

Subscribe to Billboard magazine today!