Countless years of shady dealings on the part of the music industry have desensitized fans to the point where, when I heard that certain Prince fansites had been sent cease-and-desist letters for hosting Prince images, album covers, lyrics, and "anything linked to Prince’s likeness," it almost didn’t even register as one of those “what the fuck” moments. Indeed, the true nature of the fucking became apparent only when I learned that it was Prince himself who initiated the lawsuits.

Though Prince has not yet commented on his decision, pretty much all of his fans have. Prince Fans United, a confederation of fansites under scrutiny, has emerged with a statement strongly opposing Prince’s admittedly excessive demands. I have chosen the most interesting, if not relevant quote from the statement on the site’s front page:

Prince claims that fansites are not allowed to present any artwork with Prince’s likeness, to the extreme that he has demanded removal of fan’s own photographs of their Prince inspired tattoos and their vehicles displaying Prince inspired license plates.

Giving up “Kiss” wouldn’t be easy for anyone, but if you’re like me and can’t in good conscience support an artist who doesn’t support personalized license plates in their honor, you might consider a visit to Prince Fans United, where you can offer support and gather tools to help spread the word about their cause.

For purely educational reasons and as a critique on the ridiculousness of the cease-and-desist letters, here are examples of what Prince is talking about:

Example of Prince photograph:

Example of Prince album cover:

Example of Prince lyrics to "Free":

Don’t sleep ’til the sunrise, listen 2 the falling rain Don’t worry ’bout tomorrow, don’t worry ’bout your pain Don’t cry unless you’re happy, don’t smile unless you’re blue Never let that lonely monster take control of U

Be glad that U r free Free 2 change your mind Free 2 go most anywhere, anytime Be glad that U r free There’s many a man who’s not Be glad 4 what U had baby, what you’ve got Be glad 4 what you’ve got

I know my heart is beating, my drummer tells me so If U take your life 4 granted, your beating heart will go So don’t sleep until you’re guilty, ’cuz sinners all r we There’s others doing far worse than us, so be glad that U r free

Be glad that U r free Free 2 change your mind Free 2 go most anywhere, anytime Be glad that U r free There’s many a man who’s not Be glad 4 what U had baby, what you’ve got Be glad 4 what you’ve got

Soldiers are a marching, they’re writing brand new laws Will we all fight together 4 the most important cause? Will we all fight 4 the right 2 be free? Free (Be glad that U r free) Free 2 change my mind (Free 2 change your mind) Free 2 go most anywhere, anytime (Free 2 go most anywhere,anytime) I’m just glad, I’m just glad I’m free, yeah (Be glad that U r free) There’s many a man who’s not (There’s many a man who’s not) Glad 4 what I had baby, (Be glad 4 what U had and) Glad 4 what I got, oh yeah (for what you’ve got) Oh I’m just glad, I’m just glad I’m free,yeah (Be glad that U r free) Free 2 change my mind (Free 2 change your mind) Free 2 go most anywhere, anytime (Free 2 go most anywhere,anytime) (Be glad that U r free) (There’s many a man who’s not) I’m so... (Be glad 4 what U had and for) (what you’ve got)

Example of Prince "likeness":