Cash Estate Takes a Stand Against Unauthorised Voice Use
The estate of the legendary country singer Johnny Cash has initiated legal proceedings against the soft drinks giant Coca-Cola. The lawsuit centres on an advertisement that aired during college football games, which allegedly featured an impersonator replicating Cash's distinctive voice without authorisation.
The Groundbreaking 'Elvis Act' in Play
This case represents one of the first major tests of Tennessee's new 'Elvis Act', legislation that came into effect last year. This law specifically safeguards an individual's voice from being exploited for commercial gain without their explicit consent. The Cash estate emphasises that while it has historically licensed the singer's songs, Coca-Cola did not seek permission for this particular campaign.
Tim Warnock, legal counsel for the Cash estate, issued a powerful statement: "Stealing the voice of an artist is theft. It is theft of his integrity, identity and humanity." He further explained that the lawsuit aims to protect Johnny Cash's legacy and send a clear message to corporations seeking to profit from an artist's likeness without approval.
The Impersonator and Legal Demands
The singer featured in the controversial commercial has been identified as Shawn Barker, a professional tribute artist who has performed as Johnny Cash for over two decades. His manager, Joey Waterman, stated they were "thrilled" to be approached for the project.
The legal complaint, however, describes Coca-Cola's actions as "pirating Johnny Cash’s voice" for their own enrichment. The estate is seeking several remedies from the court:
- An immediate injunction to pull the advertisement from broadcast.
- Financial damages as permitted under the Elvis Act.
- Additional damages for alleged breaches of Tennessee's consumer protection statutes.
At the time of reporting, Coca-Cola has not issued a public comment on the ongoing litigation. This case emerges amidst renewed interest in Johnny Cash's work, following the recent release of "Songwriter," an album of previously unreleased material from the 1990s. The singer passed away in 2003.
