Sir Tom In the News, What's New, Pussycat?
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Tom Sued In Concert Cancellation; Korean TV Ad
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010The story below is pretty unbelievable….well, not really. Some dope was bound to do this to some performer at some time or another. Um….do y’think this lawyer is looking for publicity? I wonder if, as in the US, there are penalties for filing a frivolous lawsuit in Singapore.
Fan to file suit against Tom Jones
BY JOY FANG/AsiaOne/Wed, Mar 31, 2010
AN IRATE Indonesian concert-goer — one of the 4,000 disappointed by singer Tom Jones’ walkout last Friday — has issued a letter demanding compensation from the veteran singer and concert organiser Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).
Mr Hotman Paris Hutapea, 50, a litigation lawyer and founder of law firm Hotman Paris & Partners in Jakarta, wrote that his firm is preparing to file a civil suit against RWS, its agent in Indonesia and the singer.
He is also seeking compensation for his and his friend’s expenses on flight, accommodation and transportation, and punitive damages of US$2 million (S$2.8 million).
He and his friend each bought a $368 concert ticket. He paid $540 for flights for both of them, and stayed two nights at the Mandarin Orchard Singapore.
Jones, 69, had cut short his gig after singing two songs. A specialist later diagnosed him with acute laryngitis, or inflammation of the voice box.
The gig has been rescheduled for 8pm tomorrow at RWS. Those who cannot attend can get a refund at the Singapore Indoor Stadium’s Sistic box office.
Mr Hutapea will not be able to make it as he had to fly back to Jakarta on Sunday to prepare for work on Monday.
He told my paper he was filing a civil suit because he wanted to teach the singer and the concert organisers “a lesson”.
He was incensed at the way the concert ended abruptly, especially since he had postponed a meeting last Friday to fly specially to Singapore to catch the gig.
Click here to see the promo video and to
He said: “Tom Jones simply said a few words and left.
“It was very impolite and disrespectful. The organisers also didn’t even come on stage to comment or apologise.
“I was very frustrated and disappointed with how they managed it.
“The issue isn’t the money… I have a moral obligation to tell other people what happened.”
He said that he would file the lawsuit in Jakarta next week, regardless of whether the singer or RWS responds to his letter.
RWS is looking into the matter, and has referred the case to its legal department, its spokesman said.
Concert organisers and lawyers said yesterday that such lawsuits are rare.
Mr Ross Knudsen, director of concert promoter LAMC Productions, said that a concert promoter is obliged to refund concert- goers only the cost of the tickets, or reschedule the show.
In this case, RWS and Jones are making a good effort to accommodate the fans, he said.
“I’m sure Tom Jones felt really bad about it and, to his credit, he is staying on in Singapore to redo the show. A lot of artists wouldn’t do that, they would just get on the plane and come back next year,” he said.
Mr Jispal Singh, a lawyer who has specialised in litigation for more than 10 years, said that he does not think Mr Hutapea has a strong case.
“Usually, the terms and conditions are all stated on the ticket. So, if the conditions for cancellation fall within them, he has no case,” he said.
A Singapore litigation lawyer, who declined to be named, said that Mr Hutapea might succeed in claiming his expenses if he could prove that the concert’s postponement was a breach of contract, that the terms and conditions did not limit damages to just the value of the tickets, and that the expenses resulted directly from the postponement.
TV commercial for Tom:
Tom will perform in Seoul, South Korea at one show, Saturday, April 3, rather than for two shows as originally planned. The promoter is running a TV ad for the show. Where they got the Spencer Davis Group hit Keep On Running is a bit of a mystery, but Tom is apparently singing it at least at some shows. Check out the ad here.
As usual, if you cannot play it, drop me a line using the “Contact TJI” link at the bottom right and I’ll email it to you.
March 31st, 2010 at 12:33 am
punitive damages of US$2 million??? That lawyer has a sad life. Hope he reads this. Maybe he has nothing better to do with his life. Must google him and find out more. This is such a funny incident lol. Unbelievable!!!
March 31st, 2010 at 1:29 am
This fella thinks being a lawyer he can through his weight around.He is not the only one who is dissapointed and has been put out.
March 31st, 2010 at 2:24 am
This law suit is interesting , and putting aside for the moment thats it’s against Tom, I think the guy should get reasonable out of pocket expenses. No way should he get punitive damages but possibly some ‘distress and inconvenience’ (can you tell I work in the complaints department of an insurance company????). The organisers (RWS) will have insurance so the insures will pay – but for too long in situations like these the public are short changed. In the UK you get your ticket money back but you don’t get all the ‘add ons’ we all know get added when you buy tickets. So when a concert is cancelled you are out of pocket. The guy has obviously spent a lot of money to see the concert so I don’t think he can simply be dismissed as a nutter. It’s not like he lived ‘down the road’ is it??
March 31st, 2010 at 3:02 am
Norman, he may have some points, but seeking $2 million, thats crazy. A judge would laugh at that. If that’s the case, can a million people who bought tickets for Michael Jackson’s 50 date london 02 shows sue the organisers for $2 million each becase they lived far away and MJ died and they wasted money on plane tickets etc? I don’t think so. He can’t be that much of a fan of Tom. Attention seeker. Maybe he wants more business….. The bottom line is if someone buys a ticket for a concert, you do so in the knowledge that performers can take ill or can even die at the last minute. That’s the risk and you are entitled to get a refund of your ticket if those things happen.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:41 am
Adam I did say he shouldn’t get ‘punitive’ damages so I don’t understand your point about a million people getting $2 million dollars each. I did say that the organisers are insured againts events like this so there is no risk to the ticket buyer. As you’ve introduced the issue of the Michael Jackson tickets – the insurers even covered those tickets bought on e-bay for more than face value provided the claiment could prove how much he/she paid. This claim will go to the oragnisers insurance company thats what they are there for.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:03 am
Why don’t you ask to this man if goes to work even if his doctor say him to stay at home for sickness. I could understand recoup plane ticket, gig ticket and the hotel, but this is called “speculation”!!! It’s sad reading these things.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:16 am
Well anyway, they thats not strong case at all, like the lawyer said
“Usually, the terms and conditions are all stated on the ticket, So, if the conditions for cancellation fall within them, he has no case”
And in next life i want Hotman name too! okok bad joke.
“The issue isn’t the money… I have a moral obligation to tell other people what happened.”
Oh for a **** sake..
peace, amen.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:28 am
Cristiano – nobody sues to get their expenses back – those people want to get rich by doing so ..very sad …and yes I agree maybe it’s a publicity stunt – look it got his lawafirm into the newspaper and on this website
March 31st, 2010 at 6:29 am
LOL Olli Hotman
March 31st, 2010 at 6:59 am
Can I just correct my previous post. The Jackson tickets bought on e-bay were only refunded at face value not any inflated value.
March 31st, 2010 at 7:42 am
Poor Tom !
Not only is he ill and deeply worried but he has to face that kind of unsound mind.
Does this moron think Tom did it on purpose ?!
Unfortunately the world is full of that kind of jealous, grasping and aggressive people.
Those sinister individuals who want to profit from the others’ misfortune.
March 31st, 2010 at 8:03 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Le Morning Show, EllenSays. EllenSays said: This is dumb — Check out why someone is suing Tom Jones: http://tomjonesintl.com/2010/03/31/tom-sued-in-concert-cancellation-korean-tv-ad [...]
March 31st, 2010 at 8:26 am
There is no way Tom could do that concert, its out of his control. totally ridiculous.
March 31st, 2010 at 8:35 am
Oh well—you can sue any one you want to—doesn’t mean you stand a chance of getting one cent–but you can sue. After all the years that Tom has been in show business, wouldn’t you say that he has seen it all? Another frivolous law suit –that’s all this is.
March 31st, 2010 at 9:04 am
There have been a lot of crazy lawsuits and the sad thing is that many of them were won. I hope this one isn’t
March 31st, 2010 at 10:46 am
This guy obviously is no fan of Tom Jones. A true fan wouldn’t be filing a law suit. He’s just looking for publicity and money. He claims he’s not seeking either but he has a moral obligation to tell what happened…that’s a joke! He doesn’t have a leg to stand on and is wasting his time. He should be glad to get his money refunded for the ticket. He shouldn’t be expected to be reimbursed for his hotel and airline expenses, etc. I’m sure he wasn’t the only one who traveled a long way and spent a lot of money. If he couldn’t stay to see the show this week, well that’s his problem. It wasn’t Tom’s fault he fell ill. At least he has re-scheduled his show, and that proves he cares about his fans. I doubt that there would be too many other performers that would do that. Mr. “Hotman” Hutapea needs to get over himself!
March 31st, 2010 at 12:11 pm
It is a frivolous lawsuit. Bebe is right. The guys justs wants to see his name in the paper.
Tom come back home to the USA…we’ll treat you right!
March 31st, 2010 at 3:32 pm
This dude is out of his mind. It’s just stupid. He will get nothing except a ticket refund minus the service charge or a new date.
He may be looking for publicity and he may get it, but he will just be publicly letting everyone know he is a moron.
Buy the way he is 50 years old and he calls himself Hotman.
Need I say more.
Ellen please track down a photo of this so called lawyer. I want to see what a Hotman looks like, since I have no clue.
March 31st, 2010 at 8:59 pm
A class action should be filed upon Hotman by all of Tom‘s fans, for making us all sick!
April 1st, 2010 at 2:10 am
WHATS THE MATTER WITH THE MAN TJ CANT HELP FALLING ILL MY GOD WHAT WOULD HE HAVE DONE IF IT WAS THE OTHER WAY ROUND
I AGREE WITH SHARON ALL TOMS FANS SHOULD TAKE ACTION AGAINST HOTMAN FOR MAKING US SO SICK
April 1st, 2010 at 3:04 am
Nick, just put his on facebook and you will see him
April 1st, 2010 at 3:05 am
name*
April 3rd, 2010 at 8:23 pm
I agree with Sharon…Hotman is sickening!
April 5th, 2010 at 9:49 am
This guy must be crazy. If you buy a ticket to a concert and the artist(s) is sick, nothing you can do, except get your money back. That is life! That is what the rest of us do, so get over it Hotman or whatever your name is.
April 7th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Amen to that, Susanne! We miss Tom!!!!!! We won’t treat him like that! We wish him a speedy recovery!