UConn James Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Link As I wrote several times during the campaign last year, despite the adamant assertions from several regular posters here.... Using a song in a commercial --- and arguably in a campaign appearance that is being videotaped --- w/o permission from the artist is not only unethical (by misrepresenting who the singer supports), it is illegal. Just sad that a lot of people who write and should know the laws don't have the first clue as to their application. (By the by, one of my biggest beefs w/ Sotomayor is her total misunderstanding of what copyright law is and who it is meant to protect --- from her judgment in the NYT vs their freelancers, that appeals and the SC overturned and basically called her a moron). Intellectual property laws need proper enforcement in a country with a great many people trying to make a living from their work. The McCain camp did this with several songs/artists, including Heart's "Barracuda" that introduced Sarah Palin. Not to pick on them solely; other pols have done it too. Just wanted to make this clear for everyone ahead of the next cycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacka Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Link As I wrote several times during the campaign last year, despite the adamant assertions from several regular posters here.... Using a song in a commercial --- and arguably in a campaign appearance that is being videotaped --- w/o permission from the artist is not only unethical (by misrepresenting who the singer supports), it is illegal. Just sad that a lot of people who write and should know the laws don't have the first clue as to their application. (By the by, one of my biggest beefs w/ Sotomayor is her total misunderstanding of what copyright law is and who it is meant to protect --- from her judgment in the NYT vs their freelancers, that appeals and the SC overturned and basically called her a moron). Intellectual property laws need proper enforcement in a country with a great many people trying to make a living from their work. The McCain camp did this with several songs/artists, including Heart's "Barracuda" that introduced Sarah Palin. Not to pick on them solely; other pols have done it too. Just wanted to make this clear for everyone ahead of the next cycle. They paid the licensing companies the necessary fees and could play them no matter how much the lib artists complained. Same as a bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UConn James Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 They paid the licensing companies the necessary fees and could play them no matter how much the lib artists complained. Same as a bar. I guess you're missing the point of the RNC's/McCain's apology, the announcement that it won't ever happen in future campaigns, or the out-of-court cash settlement to avoid a civil copyright suit the RNC knows they wouldn't win. A song's use in a TV ad/movie or other such use w/o permission of the artist/rights holder is copyright infringement. A song's use as a commercial promotional mechanism is a separate issue from when the music is played as music the radio/sat service/etc. No matter how many times you try to repeat the claim to yourself, this use is not the same as background music played in a bar. I don't get how you can read this article about what has transpired or have the least little bit of understanding of copyright law and come to any other conclusion. Oh, wait... I'm talking to Wacka here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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