The MUSIC Group Files Suit Against Peavey Electronic Corporation

It’s not everyday we receive press releases like this one. I won’t add any editorial comment, but if you search for “music group v peavey” or something similar, you’ll find this is not the first legal issue to arise between these two companies.

Update: Peavey & The Music Group Release New Statements

When reading the press release below please remember that these are only allegations at this stage. I am trying to get an official response from Peavey and I’ll post an update if they will go on the record.

Press Release from The MUSIC Group:

The MUSIC Group has recently filed suit in U.S. District Court against Peavey Electronic Corporation for false advertising, false patent marking and unfair competition. The suit is based on Peavey’s alleged intentional mislabeling of its products in the U.S. market.

An on-going investigation by the MUSIC Group revealed that Peavey’s products are not labeled in accordance with U.S. patent laws and FCC regulations. Evidence obtained from an independent certified testing lab shows that 7 out of 10 Peavey products tested emit electromagnetic radiation in excess of current government standards.

Senior Vice President of Marketing Costa Lakoumentas commented that “The MUSIC Group has invested millions of dollars in comprehensive testing and compliance labs and in quality control programs to ensure its products are in full compliance with all regulatory standards. Additionally, we also go well beyond the requirements of U.S. regulations by certifying our products through the UL Safety Standards process; thus ensuring our products are safe for consumers. Compliance with federal regulations and safety are top priorities in the MUSIC Group, and we expect other companies in the market place to take these matters as seriously as we do.”

The mislabeling lawsuit against Peavey, with its implications on compliance with government laws and FCC regulations, could have a staggering impact on the pro-audio and lighting industries where independent testing has shown a number of product sold by various manufacturers in the U.S. market are non-compliant. Companies that bypass regulatory testing don’t only break the law, they create potential risks for consumers and create an unfair competitive advantage over manufacturers who spend on testing fees and expensive, compliance-relevant components. Under the law, distributors and dealers who sell non-compliant products are also held liable and face stiff fines and other sanctions.

Update: Peavey & The Music Group Release New Statements

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5 thoughts on “The MUSIC Group Files Suit Against Peavey Electronic Corporation”

  1. Music Group sues Peavey
    bsman

    Something left out of this story is that “Music Group” is the corporate moniker of Uli Behringer’s empire, which seems to mostly consist of stealing outright others’ designs, building them cheaply in China and underselling the innovators. Glass house, anyone????

  2. Peavey's Legal Troubles
    Telenator

    Their amps emit all sorts of electrical and wave crap? Heck, I’ve known that for years — just put one within ten miles of a UV light source and listen. Oh well, what do you expect for a poor-man’s amp? Hey, and they’re made way down in the SAWTH, ya’ll know, and I’ll bet 90% of their employees are high school drop outs. Their earliest amps were made with cardboard circuit boards — used to catch on fire. I had a Peavey Musician amp in the ’70s, with a 6X12 cabinet that used to blow a speaker ($25 cheapies) every time I used it. Made a hundred trips back to the dealer while on warranty, then sold it quick-like, if yous know whats I me-an. I gotta say, those Peavey Bandits were a hot little amp and recommended them to all my students.

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