"Riverdance" founders John McColgan and Moya Doherty have gone to court in Ireland to stop an “illicit, unauthorized" "Riverdance" show currently set to tour in Russia, Ukraine, Kiev, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.

The producers of what they are calling the "Riverdance" tribute show are already selling tickets for the shows and using materials taken directly from the official Riverdance site according to Riverdance attorney Brian Kennelly.

The Irish Examiner reports that Judge Paul McDermott ordered Michael Carr and his company Ceol Chiarrai Teoranta (translated as Kerry Music limited) to appear in court to explain their position.

The judge said he would not grant a temporary injunction until he heard from the defendants who did not show up on Wednesday though they had a lawyer present.

"Riverdance" attorney Kennelly stated they had been alerted to the shows in Russia after Russian fans contacted them to say how much they were looking forward to them.

“Since Eurovision in the mid 1990s "Riverdance" has continuously toured and been on show somewhere in the world.” said Kennelly. “Riverdance has plans ..which include Russia in June 2014.”

He claimed the "Riverdance" tribute shows being presented by Carr were fake and using the name illegally. They had not been  licensed by "Riverdance" even though they had a riverdancetribute.com website established.

Judge McDermott adjourned the case until Thursday saying “In fairness the defendants should be entitled to come to court with an affidavit setting out whatever opposition and defense they say they have to these proceedings.” he stated.