McCain sued for “Running on Empty”
By Gayl Murphy
HOLLYWOOD, CA (RUSHPRNEWS) 8/16/08— Singer/songwriter Jackson Browne filed a lawsuit in US District Court in LA today against Republican presidential candidate John McCain and the Republican National Committee for using one of his songs.
Jackson’s lawsuit stems from a recent McCain campaign spot where he uses Browne’s song “Running On Empty”. The suit alleges that McCain and the Republican’s failed to license the music for the TV commercial.
In a statement, his attorney Lawrence Iser said he’s confident Jackson with prevail. “Not only have Senator McCain and his agents plainly infringed Mr. Browne’s copyright in ‘Running On Empty,’ but the Federal Courts have long held that the unauthorized use of a famous singer’s voice in a commercial constitutes a false endorsement and a violation of the singer’s right of publicity,”
In the spot, McCain uses Jackson’s hugely successful 1983 hit “Running On Empty” to mock Barack Obama for suggesting that consumers can save on gas by properly inflating their tires.
This kind of contempt didn’t sit well with the Hall of Famer, who is almost as famous for his liberal political activism as he is for his singing and songwriting.
Jackson’s suit also alleges that by using a song, that so identifiable with him, that “McCain and the Republican’s violated the Lanham Act by falsely suggesting that he is associated with and endorses McCain’s bid for the presidency.” And, that the use of his voice violates right of publicity under California law.
Jackson is seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting the use of “Running On Empty” and any other Jackson Browne song, in addition to damages.
NEWS SOURCE Hollywood Today
