A man who set-up the tribute act 'The Complete Stone Roses' is suing music promoters MCD for damages claiming they tried to take over the running of the band.
Peter Lamb of Westfield, Cumbernauld in Scotland is also suing members of the group who he claims conspired with MCD to breach their contracts with him.
They are Craig France, Mark Gillespie, Alan Marshall and Brian Payne.
The High Court has heard the band was formed in 1998 after the demise of the cult Manchester group 'The Stone Roses'.
A deal was allegedly signed with MCD in 1999 giving them exclusive rights to promote the covers band in Dublin and providing the act with a slot at the 'Wittness' festival, which later became 'Oxegen'.
His lawyers say Peter Lamb is a 'modest businessman' who worked hard to nurture the reputation of the group making them the most authentic Stone Roses tribute act in Ireland and the UK.
He organised rehearsals and tours and hired new band members as the line-up evolved over the years.
Alleged conspiracy with band members
Mr. Lamb claims relations soured in late 2004 when MCD allegedly conspired with certain band members to breach their contracts with him.
The contracts allegedly stipulated that the musicians had to give 3 months notice before they could quit the group.
Gigs in Castlebar and in the Ambassador in Dublin were cancelled that December with MCD complaining that a change in the line-up did not warrant the fee for the Dublin gig.
The court has heard he received an e-mail from Denis Desmond of MCD on December 9th 2004 in which he said he understood the band had dispensed with Mr. Lamb's services.
Mr. Justice Paul Gilligan noted that a letter from Mr. Lamb looking to settle the alleged infringement contained some pretty strong comments about Mr. Desmond.
The court has also heard that unbeknownst to Mr. Lamb, MCD allegedly registered 2 companies - one in Ireland and one in the UK - with the name 'The Complete Stone Roses'.
The businessman also claims there were subsequent efforts to pass off a tribute act The Stone Roses Experience as The Complete Stone Roses during a series of gigs in 2005.
The case is due to last several days.
