Luke Combs helping a fan who almost owed him $250,000 for selling unauthorized merchandise

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Country music artist Luke Combs is taking steps to rectify a situation involving a disabled Florida woman named Nicol Harness, who found herself facing a $250,000 payment due to her involvement in selling unauthorized merchandise featuring his name and image. Combs, known for his hit song “Fast Car,” recently addressed the issue in an Instagram video, revealing his intention to resolve the matter.

In the video, Combs explained that he instructed his attorneys to remove Nicol Harness from a lawsuit filed in an Illinois federal court. Furthermore, he expressed his decision to send her a sum of $11,000. This gesture was in response to Harness having sold 18 tumblers on Amazon, each featuring Combs’ name and likeness, for $20 each, resulting in a total revenue of $360.

Demonstrating his compassion, the singer announced plans to sell his own branded tumblers, with the proceeds earmarked to cover Harness’ medical expenses. Nicol Harness suffers from heart disease and had recently experienced a hospitalization due to her condition. Combs went a step further, offering to fly Harness and her family to an upcoming concert, where he would have the opportunity to meet her in person.

Combs clarified that his legal team’s initial objective was to target larger companies engaged in selling unauthorized merchandise, not individual fans running small businesses. Court documents revealed that most of the 45 other defendants in the lawsuit were substantial operations based in Asia. Under U.S. copyright law, sellers of unauthorized goods can face substantial penalties, asset seizures, and potential criminal charges.

In response to the situation, Combs stated unequivocally that he is not driven by greed and emphasized that money is not his primary concern. The singer, a two-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year and a three-time Grammy nominee, expressed his dedication to his fans and a commitment to doing the right thing.

Nicol Harness’ story came to public attention through a report by Tampa TV station WFLA, which quickly gained widespread attention. She revealed that the lawsuit was served to her via email, in accordance with the Northern District of Illinois federal court’s procedures. Unfortunately, the email containing the lawsuit landed in her junk mail folder, and she remained unaware of it. When she failed to respond within the required 30-day period, the judge imposed the substantial $250,000 judgment. This legal action led to Amazon freezing the $5,500 she had in her account as part of potential asset seizure, leaving her unable to meet her financial obligations.

Harness, an ardent fan of Luke Combs, had begun selling the branded tumblers after attending one of his concerts. She expressed her distress over the situation, emphasizing that she never intended any harm to the artist and had promptly removed the tumbler listings upon realizing the issue. Her primary desire is to return to her normal daily life without the burden of this legal matter.

Combs, upon learning of Harness’ predicament and the lawsuit, reached out to her promptly. In a heartfelt phone conversation, he extended his apologies and assured her that he would take the necessary steps to make things right. Harness, relieved and surprised by Combs’ call, described him as a genuinely nice and understanding person who offered her support during this challenging time.

The artist’s actions highlight his commitment to his fans and his willingness to address unforeseen issues with empathy and generosity, particularly during the holiday season.

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