Metallica is threatening to sue a Metallica tribute band named “Sandman,” that also reportedly goes by “Canada’s Tribute to Metallica,” for using the band’s name.

Right. They’re threatening to sue some people who love them so much, they play their music.

According to RockFeed.net, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members recently served the tribute band a 41-page cease and desist letter before a gig, pointing out “Metallica owns, and has registered, their name and trademark METALLICA.” The letter talks about the band’s great success — because these guys didn’t already understand that part. The website also says the letter references the Bay Area band’s “official, stylized” logo that the tribute band isn’t supposed to use.

The letter reportedly refers to the tribute band’s Facebook and YouTube profiles.

To be fair, the letter’s first sentence says, “We are writing to kindly request … .” So, at least Metallica’s lawyers are polite. Besides, it’s not like they’ve ever made any money off anyone else’s music. Except for those two cover albums they recorded.

Tony Hicks writes celebrity commentary for the Bay Area News Group. Contact him at Facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks or Twitter.com/tonyhicks67