BBA charged Abba Mania’s managers with ‘parasitic’ and ‘bad-faith conduct’
Friday’s lawsuit was filed by ABBA, the Swedish pop supergroup. It sought to prevent Abba Mania, a British cover band from using their name.
Lawyers for ABBA filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court, Manhattan. They accused Abba Mania’s managers of “parasitic” and “bad-faith conduct” in trading off ABBA’s goodwill and cachet to promote Abba Mania.
Both did not immediately respond to Friday’s requests for comment after business hours.
ABBA’s trademark infringement lawsuit comes amid a U.S. tour for Abba Mania, which calls itself “The Original Tribute from London’s West End!” that includes a Feb. 2022 date in Middletown, New York, about a 90-minute drive from Manhattan.
The named plaintiff is Polar Music International AB. It has been managing ABBA’s business affairs since its 1972 founding in Stockholm. The lawsuit seeks damages in a variety of ways.
Abba Mania’s website states that “Abba Mania” is not associated, affiliated or endorsed either by Polar Music or ABBA in small capital letters.
ABBA is a global superstar who has sold 385 million records. It was also the first act to use music videos as a way to promote their music.
Last month, the group released “Voyage,” its first album in 40 years. The group is now planning a stage show that will feature digital avatars of its members in their 70s, resembling their 1970s looks.
