Briefly put, the Naked Cowboy and candy giant Mars reached a down-to-earth settlement in Federal Court Friday over a Times Square billboard.

No one's talking, least of all the normally voluble Robert Burck, who parades around the Crossroads of the World in his skivvies, strumming a guitar and urging passersby to think of him as God.

Burck sued Mars for millions last winter, alleging two Times Square billboards and a mural that depicted a guitar-wielding M&M candy in tight white shorts gave the impression that he's endorsing their product.

Last June, Federal Judge Denny Chin ruled the Cowboy's suit accusing Mars of "false endorsement" could continue.

The suit was resolved Friday with a closed-door settlement.

By Owen Moritz
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Cooper/AP

(LONDON) You won't believe how Biggin Hill Airport Byelaws have been revised. The Honorable Elvis impersonator Dave Quinn (pictured) has been shown the door.
Absolutely no buskers or even beggars!

Seems some in Hertford are busy using their heads for something other than hat-racks these days. The East Herts Council has applied to let buskers perform outside a Maidenhead Street site. Street performers may soon be able to entertain at a pitch formerly known as the Woolworths store. The application allows for "performance of plays, live music, recorded music performances of dance, and anything of a similar description to live and recorded music and dance. Interested parties or responsible authorities may make representations in writing to East Herts Council by May 26."

(SANTA FE) It was less than six years ago when busking was illegal in Santa Fe, New Mexico.Today, business is booming for street-performers. Many talents can be found in downtown Santa Fe these days. Buskers are now allowed to perform between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, they are allowed to perform until 1 a.m.

Full story and video

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COLUMBIA TO SET HAT OUT FOR BUSKERS

(COLUMBIA, S. CAROLINA) Columbia has come a long way in just the past two months rewriting their busking ordinances for all to enjoy.

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Orlando homeless wanna-be busker Vincent Tarazavich has been prevented by city laws from playing for tips on the streets of Orlando.

It seems that Vincent might be getting his big break, as soon as tonight, possibly. Bob Snow, the man who created Church Street Station back in the day, called me this morning. He's willing to give Vincent a spot in front of the newly reopened Cheyenne Saloon on Church Street.

"We'll throw $20 in the case and get him started," Snow told me. "He can start tonight, if he wants to."

Vincent will be holding his sign for the electronics store this afternoon, so it's not clear if he'll be able to connect with Snow. If he does, though, it would be a happy ending.

Snow told me he was involved in discussions with the city about 10 years ago about setting up a system for busking permits that would have included auditions before a committee...

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