EXCLUSIVE: Prince’s NPG Music Club Goes Dark After Legal Challenge
Despite winning a prestigious Webby Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year, Prince’s online fan club launched in 2001 on Valentine’s Day has shut down. A visit to NPGMusicClub.com shows only a black screen.
Often sighted as one of the most creative examples of an artist monetizing their relationship with their fans, "In it’s current 4m there is a feeling that the NPGMC gone as far as it can go," wrote the star in a release. (read Prince’s full statement after the jump)
But there is also another reason for the sudden shutdown. Opposition to the use of the name NPG Music Club and NPG Records has been filed with the US Trademark Office by UK based HM Publisher’s Holdings. It appears that Prince’s camp may not have properly protected the use of the name and formerly Purple One is now having to battle for use the brand that he created.
With hearings on the dispute not scheduled until January of 2007, why not just rename the successful music club and keep it open? Prince is famous for what seem at first to be impulsive business decisions that often turn out to be brilliant career moves. Will the black screen fade to something more creative? Could the royal one be teasing his fans prior to the unveiling of The NPG 
Music Club 2.0?
"The NPG Music Club was a first step; the lessons learned will last 4ever. Now comes a time of great reflection and restructuring. The future holds nothing but endless opportunity and we plan on seizing it wholeheartedly. Don’t u want 2 come?"
Love4oneanother,
NPG Music Club 4ever
Greetings Family,
The NPG Music Club has been in xistence 4 more than 5 years. In that time we’ve learned a great deal from each other and about this brave new online world we have all chosen 2 b part of. The members we have been 4tunate enough 2 have join r family have truly made this the best music club any artist could ever dream of. And all the things we have been a part of 2gether — the concerts, the celebrations, the soundchecks, the discussions and the un4gettable music – have shown us what a New Power Generation can truly b. We thank u from r hearts 4 sharing urselves and ur love of the music with all of us. It has been a blessing.
Once the NPG Music Club won the 2006 Webby Award, discussions within the NPG began 2 center on what was next. What’s the next step in this ever-changing xperiment? The achievements of the past cannot be questioned and we r truly grateful 4 everything that has been accomplished. But in its current 4m there is a feeling that the NPGMC gone as far as it can go. In a world without limitations and infinite possibilities, has the time come 2 once again make a leap of faith and begin anew? These r ?s we in the NPG need 2 answer. In doing so, we have decided 2 put the club on hiatus until further notice.
The NPG Music Club was a first step; the lessons learned will last 4ever. Now comes a time of great reflection and restructuring. The future holds nothing but endless opportunity and we plan on seizing it wholeheartedly. Don’t u want 2 come?
Love4oneanother,
NPG Music Club 4ever
Is any 1 b sides me tired of this particular affect8shun?
I just want to say how hurt I am that the site is no more. I pray that the hiatus doesn’t last too long. We fans of Prince needed this site to express our love for music he has blessed us with for so many years. I will miss it terribly. I can hardly believe that they can improve on what was the best site in cyberspace!!
It is a terrible thing I will really miss being able 2 get tickets n just browsing the site of 1 of the most brillant artist I know..
God Bless U Prince & c u in Dallas again I have more flowers for U=)
Love U 4ever
I hope his Magesty is rearranging this scene, cuz the babies still need yu and I do 2..
I paid a lifetyme membaship
to be down..Funksouljah.. ya heard..
As a life-time member of that club I hope he will come back.
Greetings from germany
i, too, having a lifetime membership, cannot stand to not log into the site and check the reflection pool on a regular basis.
i need you…please come back!
luv,
april
lifetime membership ? not what it use to-be
You must be, the most beautiful Website in the world! Please come back, you know we need you!
Its a shame but as the purple one sang
‘All good things they say, never last’
come back soon plz! im getting withdrawal symptoms, certainly the best fan site ever! but do i still keep my lifetime membership when/if the new site is up and running?
Peace N B Funky!
Please come back so I miss the Glam Slam!
“The beautiful ones always smash the picture, always every time”
Legal troubles are such a hassle.
I should know, mine left me pennyless. But I did learn much. the win is in the details.
details, details RESEARCH the opposition.
As far as the future goes? The sky’s the limit.\
Share the Pearls. Gotta share the Pearls.
atty’s really suck. IMHO. That’s why I went back to school… to become one. I hate atty’s. LOL
I had to check up on mine all the time.
But I’m sure it’s diffrent story for Prince – he can afford the best. you do get what you pay for.
its still good to check the details though.
peace
Just can’t wait to see the finished product – I wander what you are up to Mr. Prince…mwahahaha…One would imagine nothing less than a stroke of a genius is about to come. God bless you and thank you for your music for all of our worlds wouldn’t be as soulful as they are.
Please cum back !!!!!! i miss u / an ur web site /how will i gett my future Tickits b4 any body can ? or how do i order any thing online if ur not selling!!!!!!!
Well this explains the dark screen! I thought it was a joke. I miss this site and can’t wait to have it back. I’ll keep checking the status. Can’t wait to purchase fan club tickets again. Hopefully it will be up soon because as soon as my husbands recovers from cancer we’re looking forward to seeing you in Vegas.
HELLO PRINCE FANS PRINCE IS ON TOUR RIGHT NOW HE WILL BE IN SAN FRANCISCO CALIF. ON MAY 19, 2007 AT 8:00 PM TICKETS WENT ON SALE MARCH 20, 2007 HE’S IN NEVEDA THIS MONTH. HE’S BACK
anybody got any information as to when Prince will be in the detroit area
I miss the NPG site. It was fun, excitting, and relaxing in it’s own way. Please bring it back. I am waitting to hear when he is back in Toronto.
I JUST CAN”T WAIT AUGUST ONE IN LONDON I”M FROM HOLLAND IT”S GONNE BE THE 36 CONCERT OF ME AND HIM JUST FOLLOW YOUR HART AND LET YOUR FEELING TALK STARTED IN 1987 THE FEELING WE ALL GOT AND THE FEELING IS SOOO FUNKY.I just wanne say thank you very very very much that you came to holland in 1987 see you on aug one.may u live 2 see the dawn forever.J.C.
My daugter vistited Minnesota right before my 50th birthday and brought me back a purple rain cd in plastic. My sister gave me the 3121 cd. Someone broke into my car and stole both. can anyone help me get both again?