Battle out of Hell! Rock legend Meat Loaf sues East Lancashire tribute act over website

12:00pm Wednesday 18th July 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Chris Gee, Reporter

The real meat loaf The real meat loaf

AN EAST Lancs singer who performed as a ‘dead ringer’ for Meat Loaf has found himself in a ‘spat out of hell’ after the American star launched a $100,000 lawsuit against him.

Dean Torkington who has toured with his show To Hell And Back: (A Tribute To Meat Loaf) for the past 16 years, said he was shocked at claims by the rock star that he is an ‘online imposter’.

The row centres on a website that Dean uses to promote his act — www.meatloaf.org.

Dean, whose next show is at the Crown Paints Social Club, Anchor Lane, Darwen on Saturday, July 28, added: “There are no court dates set and I believe they have to serve me the writ in person for that.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they did it while I was on stage in Darwen.”
The muti-million selling artist, famous for hits Bat Out Of Hell, Dead Ringer For Love and I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That), has launched the legal action in California.

The 49-year-old full-time performer, from Burnley, said he has used the domain name since 2000 and makes it clear he is a tribute act.

But he has now received a legal letter from Meat Loaf’s team informing him of the action against him.

Dean said the dispute has led to the one-time devoted fan diversifying his act. His Legends of Rock show now includes tributes to Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi.

A writ issued by Los Angeles law firm Lavely & Singer, using Meat Loaf’s real name Michael Aday, names Dean as a “cybersquatter and online imposter”.
It claims he has “commercially exploited the internet top-level domain name MeatLoaf.org to capitalize on the artist’s celebrity”.

The writ goes on to claim Mr Torkington is “liable for substantial damages, including statutory damages of up to $100,000 for your cybersquatting”.
Dean said: “Earlier this month I received a copy of the lawsuit posted to my home and emailed.

“I have every intention of defending this to protect my good name and will not be bullied in this way.

“I really don't see what his gripe is or legally where he is coming from, I am not guilty of cyber squatting or passing myself off as him.”

Dean, a former Ivy Bank High School pupil, travels to gigs in a van adorned with Meat Loaf images.

He said he is now trying to re-launch his career with the new show after shedding around 11 stone since 2010.

He said: “To be honest losing all the weight wasn’t good for a Meat Loaf tribute act anyway.

“His pursuit of me through the courts has left me thinking differently about him.

“I do include some of his music in the show but I see it more as a tribute to the songs rather than the man.

“If I was to let go of the website it would cost me thousands to rebrand. There are brochures, advertising and the paintwork on the van and other costs.

“Now I have got away from the Meat Loaf tag I'm enjoying the shows far more.”

Comments (12)

11:19am Wed 18 Jul 12

RUinsane says...

Well I agree with Meat loaf on this one. You can't possibly register meatloaf.org and say its all innocent like, You are riding on the back of someone elses achievements and then claiming there is no harm in it. Why not call your website deantorkington.org,? Exactly the reason why you are using meatloaf is for financial gain.
Well I agree with Meat loaf on this one. You can't possibly register meatloaf.org and say its all innocent like, You are riding on the back of someone elses achievements and then claiming there is no harm in it. Why not call your website deantorkington.org,? Exactly the reason why you are using meatloaf is for financial gain. RUinsane

11:25am Wed 18 Jul 12

A Darener says...

Most tribute acts are in business because they can't make it on their own.
Most tribute acts are in business because they can't make it on their own. A Darener

11:39am Wed 18 Jul 12

Siouxsie-Jan says...

Does this mean that anyone selling meat loaf online will get a writ as well?
Does this mean that anyone selling meat loaf online will get a writ as well? Siouxsie-Jan

12:26pm Wed 18 Jul 12

fabinribblevalley says...

Well I think he has got what he wanted, some very cheap advertising
Well I think he has got what he wanted, some very cheap advertising fabinribblevalley

12:33pm Wed 18 Jul 12

EscapetheRatrace says...

If Meatloaf wants to have the premium domain names then he should have registered them. .com was created in 1995 - not by meatloaf. .org was created in March 2000 - by Dean Torkington. .net was created in November 2001 - possibly the official site .co.uk was created in 2002 - by Mrs Jello, LCC an American, it is for sale and has probably been for sale since it was created! .Mrs Jello is the "cybersquatter" hoping to cash in on the domain name.
RUInsane Dean obviously has more foresight than Meatloaf's management team as he had the domain name for over 18 months before Meatloaf.net.
A Darener Tribute acts are on the whole fans of the acts that they are copying. Meatloaf does not write his own material, he has people doing that for him, he is only an entertainer! as are tribute acts. Tribute acts are in a lot of cases the closest that many people will get to see the original artist, and boost music sales for them.
Now it appears that the artist is trying to cash in on the tribute act!
If Meatloaf wants to have the premium domain names then he should have registered them. .com was created in 1995 - not by meatloaf. .org was created in March 2000 - by Dean Torkington. .net was created in November 2001 - possibly the official site .co.uk was created in 2002 - by Mrs Jello, LCC an American, it is for sale and has probably been for sale since it was created! .Mrs Jello is the "cybersquatter" hoping to cash in on the domain name. RUInsane Dean obviously has more foresight than Meatloaf's management team as he had the domain name for over 18 months before Meatloaf.net. A Darener Tribute acts are on the whole fans of the acts that they are copying. Meatloaf does not write his own material, he has people doing that for him, he is only an entertainer! as are tribute acts. Tribute acts are in a lot of cases the closest that many people will get to see the original artist, and boost music sales for them. Now it appears that the artist is trying to cash in on the tribute act! EscapetheRatrace

12:37pm Wed 18 Jul 12

fleece96 says...

I've heard it all now CyberSquatting ,the USA think they own cyber space
and i agree with
EscapetheRatrace says...
he should have had the foresight to register the domain name,and if he wants that name then he should be paying for it :)
I've heard it all now CyberSquatting ,the USA think they own cyber space and i agree with EscapetheRatrace says... he should have had the foresight to register the domain name,and if he wants that name then he should be paying for it :) fleece96

1:00pm Wed 18 Jul 12

mavrick says...

If you have been using the name for 16 years, why are they suing you now? I doubt if meatloaf really knows the story it sounds like his legal team are looking for work and easy money. I have no doubt they will have our man extradited to America to face the courts. I watch with interest.
If you have been using the name for 16 years, why are they suing you now? I doubt if meatloaf really knows the story it sounds like his legal team are looking for work and easy money. I have no doubt they will have our man extradited to America to face the courts. I watch with interest. mavrick

1:29pm Wed 18 Jul 12

Siouxsie-Jan says...

This is a PR disaster for Michael Lee Aday (Meatloaf). Launching a $100,000 lawsuit against a tribute act is just plane stupid and the tabloids are all ready running with the story (see link) .

http://tinyurl.com/b
wcce97
This is a PR disaster for Michael Lee Aday (Meatloaf). Launching a $100,000 lawsuit against a tribute act is just plane stupid and the tabloids are all ready running with the story (see link) . http://tinyurl.com/b wcce97 Siouxsie-Jan

4:36pm Wed 18 Jul 12

Ragnarok says...

Old 'Lardarse' has been out out of the public eye for some time now...I always considered him to be a bit crap anyway...I like PROPER Heavy Metal,you see...I reckon Meathead should shut his amazingly massive mouth and be happy that folk are still willing to have tribute bands dedicated to him...
Old 'Lardarse' has been out out of the public eye for some time now...I always considered him to be a bit crap anyway...I like PROPER Heavy Metal,you see...I reckon Meathead should shut his amazingly massive mouth and be happy that folk are still willing to have tribute bands dedicated to him... Ragnarok

5:49pm Wed 18 Jul 12

jrodwy says...

Ridiculous, if Meatloaf had wanted it they should have bought this domain themselves first!
Ridiculous, if Meatloaf had wanted it they should have bought this domain themselves first! jrodwy

7:55pm Wed 18 Jul 12

rock fan says...

just been to deans site, the guy is awesome! 2 out of 3 on his video page is first class, i think the loaf is jealous!
just been to deans site, the guy is awesome! 2 out of 3 on his video page is first class, i think the loaf is jealous! rock fan

8:29pm Wed 18 Jul 12

soap opera says...

i beleive there is a tribute band to meat loaf called malt loaf can soreen sue them for using there name
i beleive there is a tribute band to meat loaf called malt loaf can soreen sue them for using there name soap opera

Comments are closed on this article.

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