Beach Boys legal battle continues

Founding members of the Beach Boys, Mike Love and Al Jardine, are awaiting another trial date in the long-running dispute over who owns The Beach Boys’ name.

The law seems to favour Love: Superior Court Judge James Dunn ruled this week that there is enough evidence for him to fight Jardine’s claim that he can use name.

The legal battle started back in 2001, when Jardine filed against Love because he felt excluded from Beach Boys’ concerts that same year.

The original complaint was dismissed, but in 2003 Love then attempted to sue Jardine for his use of variations on the band’s name, such as “Beach Boys Family & Friends” and “Al Jardine of The Beach Boys”. Jardine now calls his group Al Jardine’s Endless Summer Band.

Although Love’s legal action was dismissed, he has been permitted to continue seeking $2 million of court costs – and $1 million in earnings.

This week’s ruling this week in favour of Love means the battle for the Beach Boys brand will surely continue for some time.

Love is still adamant that only he has legal rights to use that name.