Today, the following news has been reported in the Japanese media.
[Taken from the Nikkan Sports newspaper, August 16, 2010]
Hide / X Japan Contract lawsuit
Hide to “leave” X Japan
Management to institute a lawsuit against YOSHIKI management for the unauthorized use of visual images
It has been made clear that, HEADWAX ORGANIZATION (HEADWAX), management office for the late X Japan guitarist, Hide (33 at the time of death), will be seeking lawsuit for the banning of the use of Hide’s images, as at August 15. According to the parties concerned, Hide’s side claims that “Hide’s images were used during the live performance without formal agreement in place” and that they will be filing suit with the Tokyo district court within a couple of days. The lawsuit may trigger the possible “walk-out” of Hide from X Japan.
[Absence of Contract]
According to multiple sources, Japan Music Agency (JMA), Yoshiki’s management office, signed a contract with Headwax, Hide’s management office, in 2000, regarding the use of visual images. When the Nissan Stadium Concerts on August 14, 15 were finalized, JMA offered to resign the contract, since the contract which was signed in 2000 was 10 year-old. However, just before the live concerts, JMA notified that Hide’s visual images were not to be used, and they dropped the whole matter. As it turned out, however, part of Hide’s performance scene was used with “Kurenai” and “X”.
[Also with Pachinko]
Trouble with regard to Hide’s visual images is impacting on the new Pachinko game, “CR Fever X Japan”, which Sankyo is planning to introduce in the market in September. Sources say that Hide’s management office claims that, although there was a signed memorandum regarding the use of Hide’s visual images, they used Hide’s visual images
without implementing an agreement.
It is also reported that Headwax is preparing a lawsuit against JMA, Yoshiki’s management office, as well as against Sankyo, Pachinko manufacturer, as to the alleged use of Hide’s visual images without authorization. Formal complaint is to be filed with Tokyo district court within a couple of days.
However, Hide has always been on stage ever since the reunion of X Japan in 2008. At the concerts at Tokyo Dome, members held up a “Hide doll”, with the leader Yoshiki proclaiming that “Hide will always be with us. We will take him overseas too!”
X Japan, which recently appeared at Lollapalooza before the 20,000 local rock fans in Chicago, will be on tour in North America from September 25. The lawsuit is under such circumstances and there is a possibility that Hide may “leave” the band just before the North American tour.
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