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Selling bootleg merchandise is illegal, but unless an unauthorized seller is making a ton of money off of it, copyright holders often don’t waste their time going after a small fish who isn’t making a dent in their bottom line. That’s why a recent Luke Combs situation raised some eyebrows… including those of the “Fast Car” singer himself.

Why was a Luke Combs fan sued for $250K over bootleg merchandise sales?

Tampa, Florida’s WFLA first brought attention to the story in a report shared yesterday, December 12. The fan, Nicol Harness, told the station that she’s a big fan of Combs, and that she sells homemade tumblers and T-shirts on Amazon, which is her sole source of income. After attending a Combs concert this summer, she started offering a Combs-themed tumbler on Amazon. She ultimately sold 18 tumblers for $20 each, so $380 in total.

Harness recently learned Combs sued her (and others) in federal court in Illinois for selling counterfeit merchandise. She only learned of the lawsuit after the case had closed, after finding an email in her junk folder from Combs’ attorney, which gave her 21 days to respond. Harness said she was in the hospital due to heart failure when the email was sent, and that it was sent to an email address she rarely checks. WFLA notes, “In Florida, the law required that you’re served notice of a lawsuit by a process server in person. The law recently changed in Illinois and email is now sufficient.”

Ultimately, the court ordered her to pay Combs $250,000.

Harness tearfully told WFLA, “It’s very stressful. I don’t have money to pay my bills. I just want this resolved. I didn’t mean any harm to Luke Combs. I quit selling the tumbler. I pulled it down. I just don’t understand.”

People were outraged by the story, like one X (formerly Twitter) user who wrote, “what the f*ck all she wanted to do was sell merch inspired by her favorite artist ? luke combs whoever the f*ck you are count your days country b*tch and the fact that u didn’t even send a cease and desist for GO TO HELLLLLLLL GOD I HATE CELEBRITIES LIKE THIS.”

What did Luke Combs say about suing a fan for $250K over sales of bootleg merchandise?

Combs, it turns out, also wasn’t a fan of what happened and says he actually had no idea what was going on, as he explained in a video shared this morning.

Combs explained that he woke up today and the first thing he saw was the WFLA report. He continued, “I spent the last two hours trying to make this right, trying to figure out what’s going on, because I was completely and utterly unaware of this.”

The country star then noted his manager reached out to the station to try getting a better understanding of the situation. Combs noted he does have a company that “goes after folks, only, supposedly, large corporations operating internationally that make millions and millions of dollars making counterfeit T-shirts, things of that, running illegal businesses,” saying that Harness “somehow gotten wrapped into that.” He added, “That makes me absolutely sick to my stomach.”

Combs said he got Harness’ phone number and talked to her, and reiterated, “Talking to her, I just… it makes me sick, honestly, that this would happen, especially at the holidays. I can’t imagine being in her shoes.”

Harness told Combs that due to the merch issue, she has $5,500 she’s currently unable to withdraw from her Amazon account, so Combs promised to double it and “send her $11,000 today, just so she doesn’t have anything to worry about.” Beyond that, he also declared he’s going to start selling his own tumbler and noted, “all that money’s going to go to Nicol and her family, to try to help with her medical bills.” Furthermore, he plans to invite Harness and her family out to one of his upcoming concerts so he can “give her a hug and say sorry in person.”

Combs wrapped up his video by explaining why he spoke out, saying, “It makes me sick for anybody to be thinking that I’m this kind of person, because I’m the farthest thing from it.”

This is a developing situation, so keep an eye on Combs’ social media account for updates about the tumblers he said he plans on selling.

Uproxx cover stars, the Jonas Brothers, had a surprise announcement on Good Morning America this morning. The band will be at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium as the headlining pregame concert for the 2024 NHL Stadium Series on February 17, 2024.

“We’re super excited to be at MetLife and open up the great NHL Stadium Series weekend in front of hometown friends, family and thousands of hockey fans,” they shared in a statement.

Fans can expect a set that includes both the Jonas Brothers’ greatest hits, as well as selections from their new album, The Album. During the intermission of the hockey game between the Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers, they will take the stage a second time.

Tickets for their NHL MetLife show are currently available on Ticketmaster. Because of the hockey game taking place, there are no floor or general admission options but there are a bunch of seated ones in the arena.

From there, the Jonas Brothers will be continuing their world tour. They will bring the shows to New Zealand at the end of February, before heading to dates in Australia and Europe. A complete list of upcoming shows, along with more information, can be found here.

Check out the Jonas Brothers announcing their MetLife show above.

The Oceans movie franchise has been slowly expanding with the female-centric film, Oceans 8, and a recently announced prequel movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. For a while now, it seems like the original cast starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and a murderer’s row of talent went out on a high note following 2007’s well-received Ocean’s 13.

Well, don’t count the old gang out yet.

In a new interview with Uproxx‘s Mike Ryan, Clooney heavily hinted that he might dust off his tux and saddle up next to Pitt and the boys for an all-new Ocean’s movie. But whatever you do, don’t call it Ocean’s 14. Clooney doesn’t like that name.

George Clooney: We have a really good script for another Oceans now, so we may end up doing another one. It’s actually a great script.

Wait, really? Like, Oceans 14?

George Clooney: Well … I don’t want to call it that… I mean, the idea is kind of like Going In Style.

Oh really? The George Burns movie?

George Clooney: Yeah. George Burns and…

Art Carney I think? Is he in that?

George Clooney: Carney, yeah. We’re not quite that old.

Clooney also revealed a fun little fact about Danny Ocean. In Ocean’s 12, Julia Roberts‘ character Tess realize she looks like the actress Julia Roberts, which raises the question of what movie star does Danny think he look like.

“Honestly, that’s a very good question. Danny Ocean thought he looked like Brad Pitt in the Ocean universe,” Clooney told Ryan. “And that was really disappointing when someone told him he looked like me.”

(Via Uproxx)

A movie with an incredibly acclaimed, beloved cast and a trailer that genuinely looked like what would happen if Martin Scorsese directed Sons of Anarchy has had a gruelingly rough ride toward theaters. Originally set to be released by Disney/20th Century Pictures, this film has since changed hands with Focus Features picking up the baton, so the good news is that this movie will see the cinematic light of day. Whew.

Plot

The story is based upon photojournalist Danny Lyon’s same-named book of behind-the-scene glimpses of his 1960s run with a real-life biker gang.

Oscar nominee and legend Tom Hardy (mentor biker) and perpetual Elvis/recent Oscar winner Austin Butler (fledgling biker) sit in the lead roles as bikers. Jodie Comer (who will always rule as Villanelle) stepped into the female lead (as the wife of Butler’s character), who will understandably not approve of everything that the Chicago-focused club does to survive. Norman Reedus (Daryl Freaking Dixon, y’all) will also zoom around the place, probably thrilled that he’s not dodging zombies. What’s not to love? Well, the brief synopsis points towards the club taking a very Sons of Anarchy descent from being a set of idealistic outcasts to a set of straight-up outlaws:

Over the course of a decade, a Midwestern motorcycle club evolves from a gathering place for local outsiders to a sinister gang, threatening the original group’s way of life.

The TheInSneider originally reported that this film was switched to a commercial focus from its original intent as an awards-circuit title. Reviews thus far from festivals have been largely positive, but not positive enough for Disney to keep riding with the flick. Fortunately and as mentioned already, Focus Features will do the honors. Let’s ride.

Cast

Not only are Hardy, Butler, and Comer leading this project, but the supporting cast is phenomenal. Norman Reedus, who was probably born straight onto a bike, portrays a character known as “Funny Sonny.” Michael Shannon will also be on the scene, and warring Justified antagonists, Boyd Holbrook and Damon Herriman, will help round out the gang.

Release Date

After the long-winded saga mentioned above, The Bikeriders finally has a release date: June 21, 2024. That’s over a six-month delay from the original December 2023 date. Better late than never, that’s for sure, and hopefully, the anticipation for this film will motivate people to put their dollars where their cinematic desire is. More medium budget films, please.

Trailer

Behold, and be prepared:

Uproxx cover stars, the Jonas Brothers, had a surprise announcement on Good Morning America this morning. The band will be at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium as the headlining pregame concert for the 2024 NHL Stadium Series on February 17, 2024.

“We’re super excited to be at MetLife and open up the great NHL Stadium Series weekend in front of hometown friends, family and thousands of hockey fans,” they shared in a statement.

Fans can expect a set that includes both the Jonas Brothers’ greatest hits, as well as selections from their new album, The Album. During the intermission of the hockey game between the Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers, they will take the stage a second time.

Tickets for their NHL MetLife show are currently available on Ticketmaster. Because of the hockey game taking place, there are no floor or general admission options but there are a bunch of seated ones in the arena.

From there, the Jonas Brothers will be continuing their world tour. They will bring the shows to New Zealand at the end of February, before heading to dates in Australia and Europe. A complete list of upcoming shows, along with more information, can be found here.

Check out the Jonas Brothers announcing their MetLife show above.

The Oceans movie franchise has been slowly expanding with the female-centric film, Oceans 8, and a recently announced prequel movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. For a while now, it seems like the original cast starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and a murderer’s row of talent went out on a high note following 2007’s well-received Ocean’s 13.

Well, don’t count the old gang out yet.

In a new interview with Uproxx‘s Mike Ryan, Clooney heavily hinted that he might dust off his tux and saddle up next to Pitt and the boys for an all-new Ocean’s movie. But whatever you do, don’t call it Ocean’s 14. Clooney doesn’t like that name.

George Clooney: We have a really good script for another Oceans now, so we may end up doing another one. It’s actually a great script.

Wait, really? Like, Oceans 14?

George Clooney: Well … I don’t want to call it that… I mean, the idea is kind of like Going In Style.

Oh really? The George Burns movie?

George Clooney: Yeah. George Burns and…

Art Carney I think? Is he in that?

George Clooney: Carney, yeah. We’re not quite that old.

Clooney also revealed a fun little fact about Danny Ocean. In Ocean’s 12, Julia Roberts‘ character Tess realize she looks like the actress Julia Roberts, which raises the question of what movie star does Danny think he look like.

“Honestly, that’s a very good question. Danny Ocean thought he looked like Brad Pitt in the Ocean universe,” Clooney told Ryan. “And that was really disappointing when someone told him he looked like me.”

(Via Uproxx)

The Oceans movie franchise has been slowly expanding with the female-centric film, Oceans 8, and a recently announced prequel movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. For a while now, it seems like the original cast starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and a murderer’s row of talent went out on a high note following 2007’s well-received Ocean’s 13.

Well, don’t count the old gang out yet.

In a new interview with Uproxx‘s Mike Ryan, Clooney heavily hinted that he might dust off his tux and saddle up next to Pitt and the boys for an all-new Ocean’s movie. But whatever you do, don’t call it Ocean’s 14. Clooney doesn’t like that name.

George Clooney: We have a really good script for another Oceans now, so we may end up doing another one. It’s actually a great script.

Wait, really? Like, Oceans 14?

George Clooney: Well … I don’t want to call it that… I mean, the idea is kind of like Going In Style.

Oh really? The George Burns movie?

George Clooney: Yeah. George Burns and…

Art Carney I think? Is he in that?

George Clooney: Carney, yeah. We’re not quite that old.

Clooney also revealed a fun little fact about Danny Ocean. In Ocean’s 12, Julia Roberts‘ character Tess realize she looks like the actress Julia Roberts, which raises the question of what movie star does Danny think he look like.

“Honestly, that’s a very good question. Danny Ocean thought he looked like Brad Pitt in the Ocean universe,” Clooney told Ryan. “And that was really disappointing when someone told him he looked like me.”

(Via Uproxx)

A movie with an incredibly acclaimed, beloved cast and a trailer that genuinely looked like what would happen if Martin Scorsese directed Sons of Anarchy has had a gruelingly rough ride toward theaters. Originally set to be released by Disney/20th Century Pictures, this film has since changed hands with Focus Features picking up the baton, so the good news is that this movie will see the cinematic light of day. Whew.

Plot

The story is based upon photojournalist Danny Lyon’s same-named book of behind-the-scene glimpses of his 1960s run with a real-life biker gang.

Oscar nominee and legend Tom Hardy (mentor biker) and perpetual Elvis/recent Oscar winner Austin Butler (fledgling biker) sit in the lead roles as bikers. Jodie Comer (who will always rule as Villanelle) stepped into the female lead (as the wife of Butler’s character), who will understandably not approve of everything that the Chicago-focused club does to survive. Norman Reedus (Daryl Freaking Dixon, y’all) will also zoom around the place, probably thrilled that he’s not dodging zombies. What’s not to love? Well, the brief synopsis points towards the club taking a very Sons of Anarchy descent from being a set of idealistic outcasts to a set of straight-up outlaws:

Over the course of a decade, a Midwestern motorcycle club evolves from a gathering place for local outsiders to a sinister gang, threatening the original group’s way of life.

The TheInSneider originally reported that this film was switched to a commercial focus from its original intent as an awards-circuit title. Reviews thus far from festivals have been largely positive, but not positive enough for Disney to keep riding with the flick. Fortunately and as mentioned already, Focus Features will do the honors. Let’s ride.

Cast

Not only are Hardy, Butler, and Comer leading this project, but the supporting cast is phenomenal. Norman Reedus, who was probably born straight onto a bike, portrays a character known as “Funny Sonny.” Michael Shannon will also be on the scene, and warring Justified antagonists, Boyd Holbrook and Damon Herriman, will help round out the gang.

Release Date

After the long-winded saga mentioned above, The Bikeriders finally has a release date: June 21, 2024. That’s over a six-month delay from the original December 2023 date. Better late than never, that’s for sure, and hopefully, the anticipation for this film will motivate people to put their dollars where their cinematic desire is. More medium budget films, please.

Trailer

Behold, and be prepared:

Taylor Swift turned 34 today and is celebrating her birthday in a special way. The pop star announced that the extended version of her Eras Tour concert film is now available on digital today. As part of the announcement, she also threw in a ton of emojis: a dragon for “Long Live,” an arrow for “The Archer,” and a blue heart for “Wildest Dreams” — the songs that have been added to this longer version.

Swift then poked fun at herself for all the emojis in the first half. “PS troll me all you want about my excessive and literal millennial emoji use but A) no one’s prouder to be a millennial and B) it’s my bday and today I am exempt!” she wrote.

It’s only been a few hours into Swift’s birthday, but fans have already been rolling in with heartfelt tributes. “on december 13th 1989, the most, genius, inspiring, intelligent, hardworking, talented, humble, fearless, caring and the strongest woman this world has ever seen was born. and the world was never the same,” one fan account commented under her post.

Others honored Swift with fan art of all her different eras.

Check out Taylor Swift’s birthday post above. Below, find some more fan reactions to Tay-day.

The Color Purple is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. A cast featuring Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, and Fantasia is already promising on its own, but according to Oprah Winfrey, who produced the movie musical and starred in the original 1985 movie, the cast almost looked different.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Oprah revealed that Rihanna and Beyoncé were once considered for the cast, but she felt it more appropriate to give other actors an opportunity to shine.

“To be completely honest about it, if you were doing this film for $30 or $40 million, the interest in the cast would be very different,” Winfrey said. “Once the film moved to $90 to $100 million, then everybody wants us to bring Beyoncé. ‘Can you get Beyoncé or can you get Rihanna?’ So we’re sitting in a room saying, ‘Listen, we love Beyoncé. We love Rihanna, but there are other actors who can do this job.’”

Both Bey and Rihanna have had their hands full this year — Beyoncé with her Renaissance World Tour and film, and Rihanna with her fashion and make-up brands, and the birth of her newborn son. According to Oprah, their stacked schedules were taken into consideration.

“I do remember conversations about, ‘Y’all, Beyoncé is going to be busy this year.’ It wasn’t even a negotiation, because you’re not getting Beyoncé,” said Oprah