Eminem Sues Apple And MTV Over iTunes Commercial

from the singing-along-is-a-crime dept

Seems like there are a bunch of music copyright issues showing up now. Eminem is apparently suing both Apple and MTV for a commercial for Apple's iTunes software that included a kid singing an Eminem song. In this case, he seems to have a stronger argument in that Apple was using his song for commercial purposes - even if they weren't using his recording of it. Still, if I remember correctly, there are compulsory licensing laws that should allow Apple and/or the kid in the commercial to have ever right to perform his "cover" version, so long as they first informed the copyright owner and then payed specific royalties as outlined in the law. I think, however, this only applies to songs that have a registered copyright, and the article here points out that Eminem didn't register the song until after the commercial was no longer airing.
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  1. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 24 Feb 2004 @ 6:37am

    No Subject Given

    Fading Career = frivolous lawsuits.

    Look for him to sue hersey candies in the near future.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 24 Feb 2004 @ 6:52am

    No Subject Given

    There is no compulsory with regard to synchronization rights, which this use falls under. The use of a cover version in a commercial requires permission from the songwriter.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Joe Baderderm, 24 Feb 2004 @ 1:08pm

    Re: No Subject Given

    How about if he sues Mars/M&M's instead of Hershey's? That might make more sense.

    link to this | view in thread ]


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