May 24, 2010

"David Byrne Sues Florida Gov. Charlie Crist For $1 Million."

Crist used the song "Road to Nowhere," without permission, in a campaign ad.
"I was pretty upset by that," says Byrne, who had Warner Bros. Records contact the Crist campaign, which subsequently stopped using the ad. But, Byrne contends, "in my opinion the damage had already been done by it being out there. People that I knew had seen (the ad), so it had gotten around. The suit, he adds, "is not about politics...It's about copyright and about the fact that it does imply that I would have licensed it and endorsed him and whatever he stands for."
What makes anybody think that's okay? Byrne's lawyer noticed that Jackson Browne successfully sued John McCain in 2008 for using "Running on Empty."

Nowhere... Empty... funny what these politicians identify with.

19 comments:

Dale said...

Fuck David Byrne. If you think he's talented and waste your money on him, you're an idiot. The money these fuckers make in comparison to their contributions to society is ridiculous. Every way people can download for free or steal from minimal talent hacks like him is fine by me.

Revenant said...

The money these fuckers make in comparison to their contributions to society is ridiculous.

Considering that society voluntarily gave them every penny of that money as a reward for their contributions, that's a pretty retarded thing to say. A close runner-up in the nitwit contest is the sentiment that stealing is fine if the guy you're stealing from is rich.

Anonymous said...

Two Talking Heads in a legal battle.

Next.

Dave in Tucson said...

The suit "is not about politics.."

Boloney.

Just imagine if it had been Obama.

This sort of thing always seems to have a common theme: Regan and "Born in the USA". Bush Sr. and "Don't Worry Be Happy". McCain/Palin and Barracuda.

Clinton, on the other hand, got Fleetwood Mac to come play live at his events.

It's a real puzzler how these things work out.

Anonymous said...

Rush Limbaugh pays a royalty every time he uses Back to Ohio. The Pretenders laughed it off. Much more appropriate.

All of that said, Byrne does own the music but what, exactly, are his damages? What money has he lost?

Anonymous said...

Now that's a Big Suit.

Revenant said...

Boloney. Just imagine if it had been Obama.

If this was about politics, Byrne wouldn't be going after Crist. Crist lost the Republican nomination and is currently in the process of sabotaging Republican chances for winning the Senate seat.

The reason for the "common theme" of musicians suing conservative politicians is that most rock musicians are left-wing. But seriously now, do you think for an instant that Ted Nugent would hesitate to sue Obama if the latter used "Stranglehold" in an anti-Republican ad? Wouldn't sue a person who appropriated your property and used it for purposes you disliked?

Palladian said...

I hate people when they're not polite!

Largo said...

But seriously now, do you think for an instant that Ted Nugent would hesitate to sue Obama if the latter used "Stranglehold" in an anti-Republican ad?

Strangle comes more quickly to mind! :)

Just kidding, for I understand The The Nuge to be a peaceable guy. But if I ever met him, I might confess to him my wondering whether it it true, as I've heard, that all politicians taste like venison.

BTW Ted, Belladonna can be used as an effective arrow tip poison. Just Sayin'.

Largo said...

...

Joe said...

I remember when Byrne did some crappy art and was declared a Renaissance man by Time or Newsweek--apparently that gig isn't working out too well for him.

Rialby said...

Artists should be paid for their art.

On the same topic, and I'll stretch the word 'artist' to fit - has anyone heard Janeane Garofalo doing Starbucks commercials? Is that really her?

roesch-voltaire said...

He is obviously a free-market Tea Party person out to sink Crist who will soon be singing this is not my party.

Steven said...

I am entirely and unambiguously in favor of candidates for federal office getting screwed to and through the wall by federal copyright law.

Unknown said...

I don't think it's the politicians who pick the songs. They may have some input on something they really hate or love, but the selection(s) are made by the marketing schmucks.

So you probably should say, "funny what these consultants identify with.".

Salamandyr said...

Byrne probably didn't realize that Crist is a fearless independent.

Snark aside...Talking Heads was an awesome band.

Unknown said...

I can feel the lawsuits piling up...

Jim said...

If I was going to run for Congress the only bumper music I'd accept would be Zevon, Send Lawyers Guns & Money.

Because I believe in truth in advertising.

Unknown said...

I think we can all agree that Crist should've seen this lawsuit coming. I mean, doesn't he have people to advise him on these types of issues?

I did find this article from Broward-Palm Beach New Times that was funny. They disagree with Crist's song choice and offer up five more Talking Head songs that would've better fit his campaign.

Check it out: http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/countygrind/2010/05/five_talking_heads_songs_for_charlie_crist.php