Tobacco company law suits are not normally the sort of topic covered here at Blogsboro.com but this one has a tie-in to what we do so I thought why not give it a mention. The recent Joe Camel/Rolling Stone Magazine flap is going to make someone very rich and someone very poor. Not only have state attorney generals from several states filed charges based on advertising tobacco to children but now the bands involved are filing a class action lawsuit against RJ Renolds and Rolling Stone Magazine to the tune of $194 Billion. From the San Jose Mercury News:

"SAN FRANCISCO—Two bands featured in Rolling Stone magazine's "Indie Rock Universe," an illustrated insert sandwiched between music-themed Camel cigarette ads, are suing the publication and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

Oakland, Calif.-based band Xiu Xiu and Toronto, Canada-based F------ Up filed the lawsuit Monday in Alameda County Superior Court, alleging unauthorized use of the bands' names for commercial advantage and unfair business practices.

The ads in Rolling Stone promoted Camel's "The Farm: Free Range Music" campaign to support independent record labels.

"Many bands are angered and offended by what occurred," said Christopher Hunt, a San Francisco attorney for the two bands. Hunt and his clients are seeking class action status, which, if granted, would allow members from the more than 150 bands featured in the ad to join the suit." continue reading Bands sue Rolling Stone, R.J. Reynolds over cigarette ads.