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PrintJackson Browne sues McCain, RNC over song in ad
Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:07 AM EDT
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Jackson Browne doesn't want John McCain running on anything fueled by his lyrics. The singer-songwriter sued McCain and the Ohio and national Republican committees in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Thursday, accusing them of using his song "Running on Empty" without his permission.
The lawsuit claims the song's use was an infringement of his copyright and will lead people to conclude he endorses McCain. The suit says Browne is a lifelong liberal who is as well-known for his music as for being "an advocate for social and environmental justice."
The advertisement mocks Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's contention that if U.S. drivers got regular tuneups and drove on properly inflated tires, they could save the same amount of oil that would be gained by offshore drilling. According to the suit, "Running on Empty" plays in the background of the ad criticizing the remarks.
Robert Bennett, chairman of the Ohio party, said the ad was pulled when Browne objected. He called the lawsuit a "big to-do about nothing."
McCain spokesman Brian Rogers disavowed the ad, saying it wasn't a product of the Republican presidential candidate's campaign.
Browne's lawsuit contends the Ohio Republican party released the ad on behalf of McCain and the RNC. The RNC did not return a phone call seeking comment.
The suit notes that other musicians, including ABBA and John Cougar Mellencamp, have asked McCain to stop using their work.
Browne's attorney, Lawrence Iser, called the ad's use of the song "reprehensible."
The 59-year-old singer claims his reputation has already been damaged and is seeking more than $75,000 in damages.
Browne released "Running on Empty" — the song and an album by the same name — in 1977. According to the lawsuit, the album has sold more than 7 million copies.
Browne's financial success has aided Democratic candidates over the years. Campaign finance records show he contributed $2,300 to Obama's presidential campaign last year and $2,000 to the Illinois senator's campaign coffers in 2004.
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 | Today on the presidential campaign trail | Associated Press | Tue Aug 12 | 2 |
 | Singer Jackson Browne sues McCain over ad tune | The Detroit Free Press | Fri Aug 15 | 0 |
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{"commentId":2460428,"authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}
'Jackson Browne doesn't want John McCain running on anything fueled by his lyrics.'
Heck, it doesn't matter that much anyway. The McCain campaign is already running on empty.:)
{"commentId":2460428,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}
- 4 votes
#1 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:44 AM EDT{"commentId":2470040,"authorDomain":"RNKay"}
Heck, it doesn't matter that much anyway. The McCain campaign is already running on empty.:)
That's why the song was so perfect for his campaign. ;-)
The song is copyrighted and Mr Browne does have the right to sue.
I say, go for it, Jackson!
{"commentId":2470040,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"RNKay"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2472847,"authorDomain":"wallemalemon"}
I agree...go ABBA (never thought I'd say that) go John Mellencamp....out on a rail.....
{"commentId":2472847,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"wallemalemon"}
{"commentId":2460609,"authorDomain":"Notearsnheaven"}
I think we all need to pray for whomever is elected.
I do not believe in political speeches or any change is going to be made by one politician or the other. This country is hell bent on believing that democrats can make the changes, and the republicans won't make any.
It scares the hell out of me. The United States of America is running on empty, period.....
I adored Jackson Browne in the 70's, but maybe he is running on empty, too. Remember the song he wrote about lawyers, anyone?
{"commentId":2460609,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"Notearsnheaven"}
#2 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:27 AM EDT{"commentId":2472961,"authorDomain":"wallemalemon"}
It scares the hell out of me. The United States of America is running on empty, period..... ...doesn't do any good, to look like you want to blame Jackson Browne for that..... does it?
{"commentId":2472961,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"wallemalemon"}
{"commentId":2483167,"authorDomain":"Notearsnheaven"}
Get a life. Sounds as if you like to do a lot of blaming yourself here....and I can breath just fine, but thanks anyway.
Learn how to read and then make your discussion about what you really are trying to say.
{"commentId":2483167,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"Notearsnheaven"}
{"commentId":2460640,"authorDomain":"Notearsnheaven"}
I believe his reputation was damaged a long time before John McCain came along.
Was there not a domestic violence issue with his longtime companion a few years back? Does anyone remember Darryl Hannah?
Take credit for your own ruined reputation, Mr. Browne....
{"commentId":2460640,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"Notearsnheaven"}
- 1 vote
#3 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:34 AM EDT{"commentId":2472901,"authorDomain":"wallemalemon"}
well, Tam...let's not diss what's left of the music industry, and, Jackson Browne deserves a little more credit, don't you think??...and I'll just have to pray you understand....(inhale...exhale...)
{"commentId":2472901,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"wallemalemon"}
{"commentId":2461761,"authorDomain":"cletuswilbury"}
Doesn't RNC know they have to get permission to use people's songs in their ads?
Looks like desperation to me. They don't care if they get sued.
{"commentId":2461761,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"cletuswilbury"}
- 2 votes
#4 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:59 AM EDT{"commentId":2465523,"authorDomain":"moomoosdad"}
Doesn't RNC know they have to get permission to use people's songs in their ads?
Looks like desperation to me. They don't care if they get sued
They probably thought a washed-up, has-been, woman-abuser would be honored just to have his music being played again. Whatever happened to any publicity is good publicity? Maybe he was still trying to lay low from the ass beating he gave Darryl Hannah and this forced him out of hiding.
{"commentId":2465523,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"moomoosdad"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2470107,"authorDomain":"RNKay"}
They probably thought a washed-up, has-been, woman-abuser would be honored just to have his music being played again.
They thought wrong didn't they!! ;-)
Whatever happened to any publicity is good publicity?
That's only true for Republicans like Tom Delay, Jack Abramoff, Larry Craig,... :-)
Maybe he was still trying to lay low from the ass beating he gave Darryl Hannah and this forced him out of hiding.
Maybe he's simply exerting his rights to his music! ;-)
{"commentId":2470107,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"RNKay"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2462507,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}
I usually hate linking to myself, but it looks like this old piece is relevant again. I actually find it kind of funny when campaigns use these songs without knowing what they're actually about.
{"commentId":2462507,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"deatienza"}
- 1 vote
#5 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:05 AM EDT{"commentId":2464733,"authorDomain":"chum"}
it's a great article--very applicable.
{"commentId":2464733,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"chum"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2466415,"authorDomain":"moomoosdad"}
I usually hate linking to myself, but it looks like this old piece is relevant again.
You know it's funny but what you are saying in your article isn't true as a whole. I am as conservative as one can get but my favorite band is TOOL and I absolutely love Guns N F'N Roses!!! TOOL helped me get off the shrinks couch and deal with my past issues and I will never stop listening to their music. Maynard James Keenan is my hero, bravely singing about some of the very things that suffocated me for much of my early adulthood. I may be a conservative but I can still rock out with the best of them. G'N R just plain rock. What can I say, my life was forever changed the day I heard "Sweet Child 'O Mine" for the first time. Axl may be an A-hole, but he's still the best front man of all time. I'll wait three hours after the opening band gets done to hear Axl sing ANY night!
{"commentId":2466415,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"moomoosdad"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2470127,"authorDomain":"RNKay"}
So true, like Ronnie Reagan's use of Springsteen's Born in the USA without knowing it was a slam on the US govt about our involvement in Vietnam!! :-o
{"commentId":2470127,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"RNKay"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2464363,"authorDomain":"Greyshore"}
Why do these politicians think it is cute to associate themselves with songs. Are they trying to capitalize on the popularity of the artist or song so as to subconsciously affect the votes. I am sure that Jackson or John Cougar wasn't thinking of McCain when they wrote the song.
Regardless of running for president or any other ad campaign, do yourself a favor and get the artist and labels permission before using a song. It is not free!
{"commentId":2464363,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"Greyshore"}
- 2 votes
#6 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:28 PM EDT{"commentId":2465576,"authorDomain":"moomoosdad"}
I am sure that Jackson or John Cougar wasn't thinking of McCain when they wrote the song.
How can YOU be sure what they were thinking about when they wrote these songs? YOU can't because YOU weren't there, were you? Maybe Jackson was thinking about John McCain and how bad McCain would beat on him like he beat on Darryl Hannah. Maybe he was scared and he was "running on empty" just thinking about what a low-life woman beater he is. I think that is what he was thinking. I am sure of it!
{"commentId":2465576,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"moomoosdad"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2465662,"authorDomain":"Greyshore"}
Clearly I was not there when the songs were written. Emphasizing a satirical point. I sense the hostility toward the person, not the music. point taken.
{"commentId":2465662,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"Greyshore"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2465805,"authorDomain":"chum"}
All the postings referring to Daryl Hannah made me curious, so I googled. Sounds like the "beating" may not have happened.
{"commentId":2465805,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"chum"}
- 5 votes
#7 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:30 PM EDT{"commentId":2465865,"authorDomain":"witchofthenorth"}
Yeah, the almost word for word repetition - that old spin machine?
Anyway, on the topic of the seed copyright law is not new or all that complicated - you have to get the artist's permission and pay to play their music.
{"commentId":2465865,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"witchofthenorth"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2470220,"authorDomain":"Greyshore"}
It really is a no brainer. There are certain clubs looking at songs that the DJ plays, and fines being imposed. The record companies and artists have been losing money left and right from illegal downloads, but maybe that is above the law for self promoting in a political campaign.
{"commentId":2470220,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"Greyshore"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2472935,"authorDomain":"wallemalemon"}
Chum, you're a gem....good post...looks like somebody owes the thread an apology...couple people...
{"commentId":2472935,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"wallemalemon"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2476415,"authorDomain":"Greyshore"}
I really didn't want to get into it. The entire article was about copyright infringement and royalties but it seemed that character assassination was more interesting. Thanks Chum for changing the flow with your insightful research.
{"commentId":2476415,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"Greyshore"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2483120,"authorDomain":"Notearsnheaven"}
Apologize for stating an opinion? I think not!!! Wrong or right, it is just an opinion. There was no intention of getting granny panties in an uproar. Maybe they are cutting you a little tight.
Inhale, exhale, and count to two....
Chum, domestic abuse comes in all forms and it usually takes two...
lovetrust, seems like you do very little of either.
The fact that Jackson Browne thinks his reputation has been ruined is absolutely ridiculous. He should be happy he is getting some media attention; and maybe that is what this is all about. "Now the seats are all empty," was what his concert looked like in 2005, it was an under 30 crowd and no one knew who he was. I sang along with all my favorites. I enjoyed his music that night, and I will continue to love him even if he endorses no one.
Have a beautiful day.
{"commentId":2483120,"threadId":"332308","contentId":"1749779","authorDomain":"Notearsnheaven"}
#8 - Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:13 PM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"332308","isPrivate":false}
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