Stars move across road in battle with Hollywood

A tribute to Kiwi musicians and entertainers has to be redesigned in a ‘David and Goliath’ battle with Hollywood.

The twelve star plaques honour famous Kiwi entertainers.

But Hollywood Walk of Fame own the rights to any five-pointed object in the ground worldwide, according to Stage 51 director and Austin Powers impersonator Gary Brown.

The stars, similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, pay tribute to musicians and entertainers including Sir Howard Morrison, Ray Columbus, Hello Sailor, Gray Bartlett, Tom Sharplin and the Cadillacs, and David Hartnell.

Brown was approached via email by global brand licensing agency Global Icons on behalf of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, who control the rights to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for his unauthorised use of their brand.

‘‘[They] tried to snap a copyright on me for US$50,000 a year. After eight months of trying to negotiate with them, they finally got down to US$25,000 a year and I told them to stick it.’’

Hollywood Walk of Fame said the money would be used for maintenance, and to ensure the stars are kept of a high quality, Brown says.

Brown is now in the process of moving and redesigning the stars.

Brown has permission from the Auckland Council to move the stars across the road to

Orewa Square where there is a paved area and fountain, but just needs to the money to get it done.

Brown says it is important to keep the star walk as New Zealand as prominent New Zealand artists age and some like Hello Sailor musicians Graham Brazier and Dave McCartney pass away. ’’They need to be remembered for the influence they had on the New Zealand entertainment industry,’’ he says

Gary Brown’s tribute to Kiwi entertainers has come under scrutiny from Hollywood