By 3 News online staff
Publishers of rapper Eminem's copyrights have filed for damages over alleged infringement against the New Zealand National Party.
The proceedings stem from allegations that unauthorised use was made of the song 'Lose Yourself' in election campaign advertising run by the National Party in the lead up to the 2014 New Zealand General Election.
"Eminem's publishers were not approached for permission to use any of Eminem's songs for this campaign advertisement," says Joel Martin, speaking on behalf of Eight Mile Style, LLC and Martin Affiliated, LLC.
"It is both disappointing and sadly ironic that the political party responsible for championing the rights of music publishers in New Zealand by the introduction of the three strikes copyright reforms should itself have so little regard for copyright. We do not hesitate to take immediate action to protect the integrity of Eminem's works, particularly where a party, as here, has sought to associate itself with Eminem and his work."
The National Party has released a statement that "completely rejects" the allegation and says it will be defending the action "vigorously".
"[We] purchased the music in question from recognised production music supplier Beatbox, based in Australia and Singapore. The music was originally published by Spider Cues Music, a well-established Los Angeles-based provider of music to the film and entertainment industry," the statement reads.
The National Party claims the track has been used by many TV shows including Australia's Got Talent, A Current Affair and Unsung Heroes, and that Eminem's publishers have not complained about any other use of it.
National claims to have changed the original music around two weeks ago.
"However, this has not satisfied the complainant," the party said.
National's campaign manager Steven Joyce said the party had gone through the required licensing procedures.
"We think it's pretty legal, we think these guys are just having a crack and have a bit of an eye for the main chance because it's an election campaign," he told reporters.
"I think they're just trying to shake us down for some money before the election."
In 2007, a song that sounded similar to Coldplay's 'Clocks' appeared on a National Party promotional DVD and attracted a letter of concern from EMI.
National pulled the DVD, had the music removed and reissued the DVD.
'Lose Yourself' was honoured with Grammy and Academy Awards and is rarely authorised to advertise products, according to Eminem's publishers. They say they would never allow it to be used in connection with any political campaign.
The publishers have previously sued Apple for using an Eminem track in an advertisement without permission.
There was also a dispute with Audi in which the publishers alleged the car manufacturers wrongfully used a substantial reproduction of 'Lose Yourself' in its advertising.
3 News
source: newshub archive
