Stateside rockers the Smashing Pumpkins yesterday filed a lawsuit against their label, Virgin, for illegally using their name in promotional deals.

The band claimed during a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court that Virgin's use of their name in "Pepsi Stuff" promotion with Amazon and Pepsi threatens their reputation for "artistic integrity".

In a statement, the Smashing Pumpkins said they have "worked hard for over two decades to accumulate a considerable amount of goodwill in the eyes of the public."

Virgin, who have been the Smashing Pumpkins label for seventeen years, only had the right to sell digital downloads of their songs, according to the band.

Band members stated that they would “never grant authority to Virgin, or any other entity," to use their name on promotional material for other services.

The lawsuit demands that Virgin pay with the profits that were earned in the promotion, and also asks for an injunction against using the Pumpkins' name or music in the future.

(by Hazel Sheffield)