French president Sarkozy sued by US band
p2pnet news view Politics | Music:- Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden, aka MGMT, have taken a leaf out of Jackson Browne’s book by suing a major political figure for alleged copyright violation.
Browne reckons “wrinkly, white-haired guy” John McCain used his Running on Empty during the presidential campaign without paying for the privilege.
But MGMT have substantially upped upped the ante not by going after a presidential wannabe, but by targeting an actual president, in this case France’s Nicolas Sarkozy.
His UMP party used their song Kids without permission in online advertisements at its national congress, and in two online videos, says the BBC.
“MGMT are demanding compensation for infringement of their rights over the music,” says EnjoyFrance.com, adding:
“UMP has admitted they did use the song, however, the party says this was an error and to make amends has offered a symbolic gesture of one euro.
“MGMT’s French lawyer Isabelle Wekstein is not accepting this offer, which she claims is an insult to the band.”
Good thing this didn’t happen in the US, eh? Otherwise, Sarkozy might have been sued by Vivendi Universal, EMI, Warner Music and Sony BMG’s RIAA.
But wait! That only happens to ordinary people - ask Warner Music boss Edgar Bronfman jr.
Patti Santangelo’s kids are now at the end of a four-year terror campaign in which they were accused by the labels, Warner among them, of copyright infringement.
And Edgar Bronfman, who runs the world`s fourth largest music company, was asked by Reuters if any of his kids (he has seven) ever “stole music,” said Reuters.
“I’m fairly certain that they have,” he admitted, “and I’m fairly certain that they’ve suffered the consequences.”
Good for Bronfman.
But wait! Were his kids dragged through the mud for almost half a decade and publicly accused on- and offline of being hard-core criminals and thieves, as were Michelle and Bobby Santangelo?
Said Bronfman »»»
`I explained to them what I believe is right, that the principle is that stealing music is stealing music. Frankly, right is right and wrong is wrong, particularly when a parent is talking to a child. A bright line around moral responsibility is very important. I can assure you they no longer do that.`
What did the “bright line” involve? Whatever that was, it certainly had nothing to do with moral responsibility and, “I think I`ll keep that within the family, evaded Bronfman, a Canadian, coyly.
One thing is 100%, solid gold, carved-in-rock certain, though.
Neither he nor his children will ever be sued, or harassed for years by the RIAA for copyright infringement.
And the same applies to Sarkozy.
copyright violation – Jackson Browne v John McCain copyright case, February 25, 2009
wrinkly, white-haired guy – Is Paris Hilton fit to lead America? – Britney Spears, August 13, 2008
BBC – MGMT to sue Sarkozy for music use, February 26, 2009
Edgar Bronfman jr – Edgar Bronfman`s kids: online file sharers, July 6, 2007
four-year terror campaign – Patti Santangelo v RIAA: the path of courage, February 28, 2009
Reuters – The most dangerous download of all, December 1, 2006
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March 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 am
Take that 1 euro back and eat your own shit, Sarko Facho!
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 am
Plus take note, this is france .. one of three strikes for him and his party
Too more and they are off the internet