Machel drops case against Yorkehttp://www.trinidadexpress.com/20160223/news/machel-drops-case-against-yorkeSOCA star Machel Montano has discontinued legal proceedings against his long-time friend, former national footballer Dwight Yorke, after taking him to court for falsely advertising that Montano would have been one of the performers at his (Yorke’s) annual Island Vibe fete in Tobago two weeks ago.
On Monday, attorney Jacqueline Chang, one of Montano’s attorneys, based on Montano’s instructions, filed a notice of discontinuance at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain, bringing an end to the proceedings against the former star footballer after initially seeking damages for the misuse of his name and image. In fact, Montano’s lead attorney Larry Williams told reporters that his client never had the desire or intention to seek damages from Yorke, but explained that there was a legal procedure to be followed after Montano was granted an injunction by a High Court judge during an emergency sitting to prevent Yorke from further using his name to promote the event, which took place on February 13.
That same evening, Montano obtained an emergency order, which was granted by Justice Ricky Rahim, restraining Yorke from promoting, advertising or publishing the alleged performance of any of his bands at the event.
The substantive issue came up for hearing before Justice Frank Seepersad, at the High Court on February 16.
At the hearing, Justice Seepersad stated that the whole purpose of the application was to prevent Yorke from further using Montano’s image to promote the event.
However, given that the event had already taken place, the judge said it would serve no use in the matter proceeding and granted leave to Montano’s team of attorneys to withdraw the notice of application for the injunction.
However, even though the application was withdrawn, Montano still had the option of taking legal action against Yorke for damages after his name and image were used to promote the event.