Iconic Australian rock band Taxiride are embroiled in a bitter legal case over trademark registration.
Lead singer Jason Singh, 48, has publicly accused bandmates Dan Hall, Tim Wild and Tim Watson of ‘kicking’ him out of the band by re-recording the Taxiride brand without telling him.
Singh, who helped found the ARIA award-winning band in 1997, went wild in an Instagram post on Thursday after it was announced that Taxiride would be hosting a series of shows and promotional events without him.
Australian rock band Taxiride are embroiled in a trademark dispute with lead singer Jason Singh, who claims he was “kicked out” of the band. (Photo: Taxiride band members in 1999 LR: Tim Wild, Tim Watson, Daniel Hall and Jason Singh)
The tour marks the 20th anniversary of Taxiride’s second album, Garage Mahal, which featured Singh prominently.
‘I didn’t leave Taxiride!!!’ Singh started his post.
“In October 2021 Tim Watson and Tim Wild (members of Taxiride) decided to… re-register the expired Taxiride brand WITHOUT ME,” he continued.
Singh (pictured), who helped found the ARIA award-winning band in 1997, went wild in an Instagram post on Thursday after news broke that Taxiride will be hosting a series of shows and promotional events without him
“I contest this to ensure that what is fair and just happens – that the mark is registered in the names of the rightful owners: Jason Singh, Dan Hall, Tim Wild and Tim Watson.”
“This challenge, at great expense to me, has been going on for over a year now,” he added.
According to a search on IP Australia, the group name Taxiride was filed for registration on October 20, 2021 and was opposed by Singh on March 21 this year.
“I contest this to ensure that what is fair and just happens – that the mark is registered in the names of the rightful owners: Jason Singh, Dan Hall, Tim Wild and Tim Watson,” Singh wrote.
“I continued to be left out of various discussions and decisions, before and after discovering Tim and Tim’s trademark antics, including not being told or invited to appear on shows under the name Taxiride” , Singh added.
Singh, however, noted that he still approved of the band’s decision to re-release Garage Mahal on vinyl because “fans deserve to hear it”.
However, he added: I have in no way endorsed it in the promotion of shows that are… advertised as Taxiride.
Taxiride has since issued a statement to the Herald Sun.
‘Jason Singh was invited to perform with Taxiride last October (2021). Taxiride has always been a collective with several singers. No member should be allowed to control the future of the group,” the statement read.
“We wanted to tour our songs that we’ve all contributed to and that’s exactly what we’re doing. In the past, the band changed line-ups with barely a splash. The current line-up includes the main songwriter, two founding members and the rhythm section who have been with the band for 25 years.
“With respect to the trademark, we cannot comment on any legal issues. Suffice it to say, we believe we are acting in the best interests of the brand as a whole. We wish Jason good luck in his future endeavours.
Garage Mahal features the band’s most popular single, Creeping Up Slowly.
Taxiride has since issued a statement to the Herald Sun. ‘Jason Singh was invited to perform with Taxiride last October (2021). Taxiride has always been a collective with several singers. No member should be allowed to control the future of the band,’ the statement read.
