Joan Jett Sues Former Bandmate Over 'Runaways'

The rock chick bio-pic The Runaways, is standing on shaky ground at the moment. Former Runaways bassist Jacqueline Fuchs aka Jackie Fox is trying to block the release of the film, according to The New York Post, saying she owns a piece of the trademark and it can't move forward without her permission. I wouldn't want to mess with Joan Jett, but Jackie Fox has. And now, she's being sued by the singer, who is also an executive producer of the film. "Fuchs tried to have the film halted and has demanded to see the script, even though there is no character based on her," claims Jett in the new lawsuit. Fuchs, who is clearly on a money grab here (she was in the band for about 18 months), commented, "I'm saddened that [Jett] has chosen to handle things this way instead of accepting my invitation to pick up the phone and talk to me about any differences that we may have." Jett's lawyer told the Post in response, "With the movie coming out soon, we need to resolve this once and for all." Yes, probably so. The film is slated for a 2010 release and, of course, stars Kristen Stewart as Jett, Halloween's Scout Taylor-Compton as Lita Ford, and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie. If Fuchs owns a piece of the trademark, she would be entitled to some coin. However, if part of that trademark is hers, that should already be hammered out in licensing agreements related to the band's image (merchandising, etc.) Now seems like a suspicious time to make the claim. If those rights have already been decided in Fuch's favor for previously released material, then she does have a claim and Jett's lawsuit won't get very far. If she gets anything, it would probably be a small percentage of the film's gross. Very small. She was one of five bassists (six, if you count Jett's part-time duty) in the band's half-decade together. And she's not even an original member. I don't think for a second this will hold up the release of the film, maybe only a tiny bit of the profits.

Comments

[walter]

like joan jjett is not on a money grab either?the girl was in the band give her the props.sound like this should have been the joan jett bio.