Celebrities get impersonated on the web. They’re famous — everyone is anonymous — it happens. Most celebrities just ignore it; but some get pissed off. Kanye West got mad as hell about Twitter users pretending to be him last week. This week it’s Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler who is up in arms — to the point of actually taking anonymous bloggers to court.
Tyler attempted to sue a group of bloggers that he says were impersonating him, sharing private facts, making false statements even using his likeness on the web, NBC Los Angeles reports. The only problem? The whole “anonymous” thing. Seeing as no one really knows who these bloggers are, they naturally didn’t bother showing up to court. Hell, I’m quite certain they didn’t even know they were supposed to be in court. So the judge dismissed the case.
Tyler is apparently most upset about these anonymous bloggers posting some comments about his mother who passed away last year. I wasn’t able to find those, but I did find a robust web community around “Fake Steven Tyler.” There’s a popular one in the Rock Band Forums, a group on Facebook (also based around his Rock Band avatar), there’s even a Wikipedia page and an odd YouTube video (embedded below).
Twitter took down the fake Kanye West accounts at his request, but it’s hard to see what Tyler or a court could do in this case. A good first step would be to figure out who you’re actually suing though.
This is a great reminder to all to protect your brand. Brandjacking is real–and not just to celebrities. You can use a resource like http://namechk.com (DISCLAIMER: I’m a partner on the site) to see if your username is available on multiple platforms and then secure it. I just got my Facebook account hacked and it’s no fun at all!
Wow. Really. Nice try.
those sites really popped up quickly, I don’t know why we need 10+ sites checking usernames. Is anyone really that vain in maintaining their identity that they sign up for numerous services that they don’t even use.
maybe you guys should fix that site before you push it. that has to be the most broken attempt possible at checking usernames.
Don;t forget to check out http://www.twibeo.com thee newly launched microblogging site that lets you share photos, videos and text in your updates.
http://www.twibeo.com
No wonder you have no facebook friends….
Stop the spam
I don’t blame Tyler for being upset, especially when they drag his family into it. What he should do is go after ther biggest offender, get proof and take them to court. That would set an example to the rest.
Well. I made fun of Tyler’s buddy Joe Perry the other day because his guitar with a portrait of his wife is soooooo tacky. Should I get sued then because I dragged family into this?
These people are celebrity and it’s sad but there is some price to pay. Just look at Britney.
steven tyler should spend less time suing his internet detractors and more time cranking out the most bland and un-listenable butt rock known to man. he’s got a legacy to protect!
HA!
There is a price to pay for been a celebrity, that is infringement of privacy. rumour and speculation, and even impersonation, and people poking fun.
Those of you making fun of me will get sued next
hello;
people make fun of me all the time…
Anonymity is good. Use a reputable service to mask your Real IP address in all protocols to remain truly anonymous.
RT
http://www.real...nonymity.pro.tc
Hey Steven,
It’s easy, just sue everyone that’s NOT you. Duh.
this is the funniest thing ive ever heard…ahah good luck buddy (what a homo) i always downloaded his music anyways, looks like i’ll have to keep at it. oh wait he hasnt had a hit title since the 90’s… lol
Steven, just go be rich, enjoy life, and stop making a fool of yourself.
The best tool to combat Social Media Identity Theft is still http://KnowEm.com – for $64.95 they will create 120 profiles for you on all the popular social media websites, which they constantly monitor and upgrade.
Plug, Puh-Plug, Plug, Plug.
(to the tune of Thong, Th-Thong, Thong, Thong)
This just further proof that Twitter is a whole lot of air.
I mean anyone can go on Twitter and say he is somebody famous, hiding behind some PC in some creaky basement….
The judge’s response was A+
Rather than start suing people which is impractical, why not Steve write songs about it. Maybe the message will be taken more serious then. LOL.
Singers have always sing about society and about love, why not try something new and keep up with time by singing about Digital Society and Culture.
That will a good concept for next album.
I yet to see celebrity try it before, hopefully Aerosmith may just be the first.
I love Steven Tyler !!!! I say “Good for you, Steven” for suing these LOSERS, who have no real life and get there kicks by impersonating you on the web.
It doesn’t matter that he is a celebrity, those impersonating him have no talent of there own and their lives have no value. Shut down the compter and contribute to society.
All of these celebrities have a point… try to put yourself in their shoes. It is bad enough when one of those spam bots hijacks your MySpace or Facebook account. How upset do we get when all they do is send out pointless information and promotional offers.
Imagine if, for the sake of a laugh, a group of teenagers pretended to become you. What type of damage could potentially be done. Maybe in some cases not a lot. The remainder should identify with Steven Tyler.
Celebrities chose the spotlight, that is obvious. People, regardless of social status, should not have to concede even the smallest portion of their civil liberties, especially the right to publicity and the right to control their image.
Untitled Document
Read the original article here:
Cryin’: Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler…
All of these celebrities have a point… try to put yourself in their shoes. It is bad enough when a bot hijacks your MySpace or Facebook account. How upset do we get when they send out pointless promotional offers to our friends? What if the messages were malicious and erroneous?
Imagine, for the sake of a laugh, a group of teenagers pretends to become you. What type of damage they potentially do to your name. Maybe in some cases, it is not a lot, however, the remainder of us should identify with Steven Tyler’s right of publicity.
Celebrities chose the spotlight, which is obvious. People, regardless of social status, should not have to compromise even the smallest fraction of their civil liberties, especially one’s right to publicity and the right to control one’s image.
i do…??/
hahahhahehe…look..thers tricey strong,,,hahhahhahha…
thers no way any sane person could make fun of you steven..
your too manly..
hey i have seen some of those impersonators ..they are all evil…
Not that it has to do anything with this article, but Steven Tyler has to be the ugliest person alive (after Dolly Parton.)
During its starting session between 9.30 am to 10 am stock made a dip with low of 19.47.
with most of public trading accounts having the short position in stock that made it to move up from its low to make a new intraday high of 20.17.
At all intermediate levels the stock was on short selled at most of trading counter.
Between 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm most of trading accounts have covered up their short positions with fresh long position was generated that makes the stock to fall in the remaining trading hour.
uring its starting session between 9.30 am to 10 am stock made a dip with low of 19.47.
with most of public trading accounts having the short position in stock that made it to move up from its low to make a new intraday high of 20.17.
At all intermediate levels the stock was on short selled at most of trading counter.
Between 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm most of trading accounts have covered up their short positions with fresh long positio
test
I never tried to sue anyone! I’ll get you, MG Siegler!!
As the creator of Fake Steven Tyler on the Rockband forums, I’d like to make note of the fact that none of us that posted “facts” about FST on the RB Forums tried to impersonate, nor damage the real Steven Tyler’s name.
Besides, I totally love the guy.