Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Lady Gaga Concert Promoters Sue 'Despicable' Insurer Over Terrorism-Related Cancellation


The pop star was pulled from a concert in Indonesia last year amid a mounting protest from various Islamic or other groups. Now Live Nation LGTours says it has suffered substantial damage.

As concert promoters discuss with insurers who will be responsible for picking up the cost of a cancellation that is estimated at $25 million, a legal dispute has erupted over the withdrawal of the pop singer from a concert in Indonesia on an earlier leg of the tour.

Gaga (real name: Stefani Germanotta) was scheduled to perform in Jakarta on June 3, 2012, but various Islamic or other groups began mounting a protest. She backed out, and now Live Nation LGTours says it has suffered substantial damage.

Live Nation, Mermaid Touring and The Atom Factory are now suing a Lloyds of London syndicate for allegedly not living up to the terms of a "Terrorism Policy," accusing the defendant of "despicable conduct that subjected Plaintiffs to cruel and unjust hardship in conscious disregard of the Plaintiffs rights... with the intent to vex, injure or annoy the Plaintiffs, such as to constitute oppression, fraud or malice..."

Insurance disputes aren't usually this searing.

In advance of the scheduled Lady Gaga concert in Indonesia, many local papers covered the threats.

For example, the Jakarta Globe reported on May 17, 2012 that the "hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) said it would dispatch 30,000 of its members to prevent Gaga from entering Jakarta."

Local police were also reported that it couldn't guarantee the security for Lady Gaga.

According to the lawsuit filed in California federal court, the concert was canceled in order "to prevent bodily injury and property damage and to protect the lives and safety of Lady Gaga, all members of the Born This Way Tour, and the public."

Afterwards, Live Nation attempted to collect on its "Terrorism Insurance" policy, which the plaintiff says they paid a substantial premium to obtain. The language of the policy stated indemnification for the "ascertained net loss" for cancellations due to "the sole and direct result of Terrorism and/or Sabotage or Threat."

The plaintiff is seeking at least $75,000 of Ascertained Net Loss for breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. In addition, punitive damages are being sought.
Read the full complaint here... http://www.scribd.com/doc/128664504/Gov-uscourts-cacd-555670-1-0

Read More... http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/lady-gaga-concert-promoters-sue-426047

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.