TAMPA (Fla.) (AP).– Country singer Luke Combs has made amends with a Florida woman who is disabled and sells tumblers on the internet after he was ordered to pay her $250,000. She got caught up in a crackdown that his lawyers conducted against companies selling unauthorized merchandise bearing his name or image.
In a video that was posted on Wednesday, Combs said he had told his lawyers to remove Nicol Harness’ name from a federal lawsuit filed in Illinois and that he would send her $11,000. She sold 18 tumblers with his likeness and name on Amazon for $20 each. The total was $360.
The singer, who recently reached the top of the country charts for his remake “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, also announced that he will start selling his tumblers with proceeds going towards paying Harness’s hospital bills. She has heart disease and recently was hospitalized. He said that he would also fly Harness, her family, and the concert to meet her.
A poll shows that nearly half of teens are online almost constantly.
He claimed that his lawyers should only go after large companies that sell unauthorized products and not small businesses run by fans. Court filings reveal that the majority of 45 other defendants are large Asian operations. Sellers of unlicensed goods may face stiff penalties under U.S. Copyright Law, and their assets can be seized. The sellers can also be charged with criminal offenses.
“I would never do this.” This is not who I am. I am not greedy. Money is not on my mind. I promise you that,” said Combs. He is a three-time Grammy nominated and two-time Country Music Association Entertainer Of The Year.
The plight of Harness was brought to light in a viral story on Tuesday by Tampa television station WFLA.
Harness said that Combs’ lawyers sent her the lawsuit via email rather than in person. This is something the Northern District of Illinois Federal Court allows. She claimed that the October lawsuit was sent to her junk folder, and she never received it.
Harness failed to respond within the required 30 days, and the judge imposed a $250,000 judgment. Amazon, following the judge’s orders, froze the $5,500 in her account, which meant she could not pay her bills.
She is a huge fan of Combs and began selling his tumblers after attending one concert.
It’s stressful,” said a Harness weeping to the station. “I did not mean to hurt Luke Combs. I stopped selling the Tumbler. I took it down. I don’t understand. It’s not like I intended for this to happen. “I just want to return to my normal life.”
In his Instagram video, Combs said that he found out about Harness’ lawsuit and her at 5 am on Wednesday when he went to the bathroom. He claimed he asked his manager to get Harness’ contact information so that he could phone her and apologize.
“I was very sorry when I spoke with her. This is just so disgusting, especially during the holidays. Combs said, “I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be in her shoes.”
Harness, who was relieved of her duties, told the television station that she was shocked when Combs called.
Harness said, “He was very nice and understanding.” “I told him what had happened and he understood.” “I still can’t imagine he called me, and he does these things for me.”
