The band the Eagles perform live in Hong Kong
© AFP/File Andrew RossSEOUL (AFP) - Group members Don Henley and Glenn Frey filed a 500 million won (537,000 dollar) suit with the Seoul Central District Court against Korea Life Insurance, a court official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The rock group, founded in the early 1970s and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, said the insurer illegally used the song as background music in its ad.
Korea Life said it was not aware the song was used without permission.
"Our domestic advertising agent, Hancomm, had negotiated with the US band. We thought the deal was closed," a company official said, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
Hancomm insisted it had been allowed by the group's agent to use the song.
"I believe there might have been either a misunderstanding or miscommunication between the two sides," a Hancomm official, Park Seung-Jin, said.
"We will take action after receiving related documents from the court."
The Eagles have a devoted following in Asia. Many of the continent's musicians still insist on including "Hotel California" in their repertoire, 29 years after the hit single was released.
©AFP