Promoters at Live Nation have filed suit against a leading bootlegger brand in Nashville, Tennessee in a bid to prevent bosses from selling illegal merchandise at Harry Styles' upcoming show in the city.

The One Direction star will hit the stage at the legendary Grand Ole Opry next week (beg22Sep17), and promoters of the gig are keen to keep T-shirts and other clothing items sold at the concert legit.

Live Nation officials have discovered the bootleggers are planning to swamp the show with counterfeit merchadise, and they are suing to get a court order, which will allow police officers to seize the illegal stuff and destroy it, according to TMZ.

The move is believed to be a warning shot to all counterfeit merchandisers hoping to cash in on Styles' North American shows. He has another big Nashville gig planned for next summer (18) at the Bridgestone Arena.