More from the world of politicians pissing off musicians by using their music for political campaigning. This time it's The Eagles man Don Henley who's pissed off.
As previously reported, numerous musicians complained when their music was used at political rallies in the run up to last year's US Presidential elections, mainly when it was used by Republicans. More often than not the political parties in question are covered by blanket licences that allow them to use the music, and over which the musicians have no control, even though the use of a recognisable song by a recognisable artist at a political event might imply some kind of endorsement by said artist of the political party holding the rally.
Henley is protesting against a Republican contender in California who is already campaigning for the 2010 US senate elections. Charles DeVore is running against existing Democrat Senator Barbara Boxer, and has recorded an alternative version of The Eagles song 'All She Wants To Do Is Dance' with the new name 'All She Wants To Do Is Tax'. He also reportedly reworked the song 'The Boys Of Summer' so to have anti-Obama lyrics.
Henley reckons the use of his music for these reworks of his songs, and the posting of them on YouTube and Facebook, constitutes copyright infringement, and that he therefore has a legal case against the Republican candidate. His spokesman told reporters: "Don Henley has brought this action to protect the song, 'The Boys Of Summer', which was taken and used without his permission. The infringers have vowed to continue exploiting this and other copyrighted works, as it suits them, to further their own ambitions and agenda. It was necessary to file a lawsuit to stop them".
Vowing indeed, DeVore responded to Henley's lawsuit thus: "We're responding with a counter-claim, asserting our First Amendment right to political free speech. While the legal issues play out, it's time to up the ante on Mr Henley's liberal goon tactics. By popular request, I have penned the words to our new parody song".