POP/ROCK - May 18, 1990

Piscopo, Miller Beer Rapped: A New York federal judge has rapped Miller Brewing Co., its ad agency and comedian Joe Piscopo by refusing to dismiss a copyright infringement suit against them brought by the Fat Boys rap group. At issue is a nationally-broadcast Miller Brewing television commercial featuring Piscopo and three Fat Boys look-alikes performing in the group’s distinctive style. The Fat Boys had refused to appear in the ad, and U.S. District Judge Charles Haight said Miller and Piscopo exercised “bad faith and evasive motive” by copying the group.