Ruby Tuesday says goodbye: “They backed down!”

The David and Goliath stand-off based around a Rolling Stones hit is over.

Ruby Tuesday the US restaurant chain has backed off from its initial $2 million legal threat to sue Wollongong band Ruby Tuesdays over their use of the trademarked name.

They had wanted the band to transfer their website name to them, and all profits from their merchandising.

The band has received a second letter from the chain’s San Diego-based law firm Mintz Levin, which in effect says, “who could hang a name on you?”

It reads, in part, “As long as nothing on the band's website substantially changes (eg the band does not sell any new merchandise that would infringe our client's rights, for which our client reserves all rights), we are considering this matter closed ...”

The band posted: “They backed down. Thanks for getting behind us to fight the big dogs - couldn’t have done it without all the love and support!!”

Music fans leapt to the band’s defence, selling out their merchandise and selling out their show on Wednesday night at Howlin’ Wolf club in their hometown.

However, the media also came on board, first with Ten’s The Project, then The Music Network, ABC Radio, The Illawarra Mercury, Sunrise and most of the music media.

It then made it to US media like Pollstar, after which the chain began to get messages on its social media pages from its consumers.

The band quipped on a second appearance on The Project, “The language they (the posts) used would even have embarrassed Shannon Noll!”