I was surprised to see this get coverage in the UK. Three years ago, during the General Election, NZ’s ruling National Party used a piece of music in an ad called “Eminem-esque” which, as the title suggests, is very similar to an Eminem song – namely, Lose Yourself. And ithe music is basically the same. When you hear it, you immediately think of Lose Yourself.
There’s a three week High Court case going on about this issue. The NZ judicial system is similar to the UK.
When there are far more serious cases waiting their turn, why does a case like this take so long in the courts? For both sides of the dispute, money is not really a problem. The cynic in me makes me think that if you can afford it, do you get to bicker about trivial things for as long as you like?
For the record (ha!) I am fully in the Marshall Mathers camp in terms of what has happened. These oily little weasels can’t just nick stuff and make out that it isn’t reallly stolen. The current ruling party has been in place for 9 years and any party in power for that long starts to get arrogant. Surely a mediated settlement outside of the court system is the sensible way to go for things like this?
What’s even more strange about National using music in this way is they have previous form. Remember when they used a facsimile of Coldplay’s Clocks in a promotional CD and had to withdraw it when the band threatened to sue?
Yes – I had forgotten about that. They must use a company that puts this stuff together. I remember a car advert that used a bass riff that that was very similar to that in Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, which was legitimately used by the BBC for F1 coverage. Just different enough to be OK, presumably.
Oily weasels indeed! You can’t just nick someone else’s work, stick -esque on the end and claim it as your own. Any schoolkid will put you straight on that.
Apparently, the key thing is the distinctive nature of Eminem’s guitar chuck, whatever that may be. I reckon the rhythm is the same too.
Update – $600K fine for the oily weasels, which Eminem says he’s going to give towards hurricane relief.
I’ve read the Guardian every day for decades. In all that time, I can hardly remember reading anything about New Zealand politics. Until the past couple of months, that is. Because now, every day, it’s Jacinda Ardern this and Jacinda Ardern that. Strange.