Metallica is generally considered to be a cool band, but it also has a bit of reputation for not being a cool band (as in “c’mon guys, be cool”) based on that time it sued Napster 15 years ago. Apparently, though, Metallica has gotten a lot less lawsuit happy in the years since, even if its lawyers are still pretty proactive.
As reported by Rolling Stone, a Metallica tribute band from Canada called Sandman recently received a 41-page cease and desist letter from the band’s lawyer, accusing Sandman of ripping off Metallica’s logo “to identify or promote live musical performances through Facebook and YouTube.” Sandman has been around since 1994, and it says this is the first time it’s gotten any kind of attention from Metallica itself. However, it turns out that Metallica actually had no idea about the letter, and it attributes this to an “overzealous attorney.”
Now, Metallica has officially rescinded the letter, and it says the attorney “can be found at SFO catching a flight to go permanently ice fishing in Alaska,” which is hopefully a euphemism for him being fired and not for him being executed. To further bury the hatchet, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich called up Sandman member Di Taranto and gave him the band’s “full blessing and approval” to keep playing Metallica songs and using the logo. See? Metallica is totally cool now, guys.