SB31 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby Denton

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Truth in Music Advertising Act, established, false, deceptive, or misleading affiliation between performing group and a recording group, prohibited, penalties

Summary

SB31 creates the Truth in Music Advertising Act to prohibit false affiliation between performing groups and recording groups in Alabama and to penalize deceptive music advertising.

What This Bill Does

It makes it unlawful to advertise or conduct live performances in Alabama using a false or misleading link between a performing group and a recording group. It establishes civil penalties of $5,000 to $15,000 per violation and allows courts to issue injunctions and order restitution. It defines terms like performing_group, recording_group, and sound_recording, and provides several exemptions (such as authorized use of a federal service mark, legitimate rights of group members, tribute shows not confusing to the public, non-Alabama advertising, and express authorization by the recording group). The act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Performing groups that might advertise or perform under another group's name; they could face civil penalties and injunctions if the affiliation is false or misleading.
• Recording groups and their legitimate members who have rights to use the group name or are protected by the act's exemptions (and who may be affected by enforcement and clarifications of allowed use).

Key Provisions

• Prohibits false, deceptive, or misleading affiliation between a performing group and a recording group in advertisements and live performances in Alabama.
• Defines terms: performing_group, recording_group, and sound_recording; lists exemptions including authorized federal service-mark registrants, continuing rights of recording-group members, certain tribute performances, non-Alabama advertising, and express authorization by the recording group.
• Allows the Attorney General or district attorney to seek injunctions to stop violations and to order restoration of money or property obtained through violations.
• Imposes civil penalties of $5,000 to $15,000 per violation, with each unlawful performance counting as a separate violation.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure