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November 20, 2008

UPDATE: Running On Empty: John McCain To Seek Monetary Damages From Jackson Browne?... Browne's attorney responds...

Reuters | Read Full Story >

UPDATE:

“This case has nothing to do with selling records. Jackson Browne sued Senator McCain and his party because they failed to obtain permission to use Jackson’s famous song and voice in their commercial. Copyrights for songs, like books and movies, are expressly protected by the United States Constitution. In their response to the Complaint, Senator McCain and his party contend that it is ‘fair’ for a candidate to incorporate the artistry of musicians, actors and writers into their campaigns without permission or compensation, with the ultimate result that these artists become unwitting endorsers of the candidate. Musicians, actors, record companies and movie studios should all be concerned by this direct assault on their constitutional and creative rights. Artists have the right to be paid for their work. We are confident that the Court and ultimately the jury will agree. We do not intend to respond further at this time, except through our court filings,” Jackson Browne’s attorney, Lawrence Iser of the Santa Monica, California law firm Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert.

Earlier…

The singer/songwriter sued McCain in August after the Republican candidate for the highest office in the land used his song, “Running on Empty,” in a campaign commercial that targeted Obama’s energy plan. At the time, many didn’t take the legal threat very seriously, but based on two motions filed this week in U.S. District Court in California, the McCain campaign sure does.

The second filing is maybe even more interesting. It’s an anti-SLAPP motion, which is typically used by defendants as a way to seek monetary damages after a plaintiff has subjected a defendant to a lawsuit meant to chill free speech. So far, McCain is only looking for attorney’s fees and costs, but claiming an artist has interfered with free speech is quite the poke of an eye in show business.


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Previous comments include

#1 Ahmet Ertegun says:

Outrageous. If he didn't prove himself to be a DICK in his campaign, then he really has now. While McCain was enjoying his 8 houses and changing his views on every possible issue for the sake of ego and gaining power, Jackson Browne was continuing to stand firm in his beliefs by playing benefit shows to raise money for many non-profits, as he's done since the beginning of his career. There aren't many artists who stay true to themselves for 30 plus years in the public eye and continue to give their time and music to the causes they believe in even after they no longer live at the top of the pop charts. Fair use my ass, McCain. I hope you lose this like you lost the election, you loser.

#2 Barack Obama says:

Man, dis Browne bitch be happy for the pub, being that he be nutin' but a hosed out bitch-ass skeeze. He be claimin' to doin' "benefits" an shit, but that bitch be trippin, cus no muthufuckas be likin his shit, an dey sho don wan ta be tossin out tha duckets to hear his shit no how anyway, tru dat, feel me?

When I made Michelle my bitch, I tol dat ho she be trippin if she be keepin any of Jackson Browne shit in my muthufuckin crib. An she got gettin too boy 'cause she knows I'm da man!

Represent!!

Fitty Cen? Now dat's a muthufuckn' tip yez sa! An he be my homee too.

BOOYA BIOTCH!!

Even'doe Johnny and I tru down an shit, we still be boyz and all dat and I'm happy that Johnny be takin on dis whiny ass bitch. shit, I gots ho's tuffa den dis lil bitch. I dun told that muthufucku dat it would be a done deal cuz, if he ax one simple question: would dat bitch Browne be all up in my grill if I be usin da song?

Hell no, cuz!! That shit be proven no doubt that Browne ain't be damaged by dis, he's jus' a little, strawberry skeezer cryin' about the mean ole nasty conservatives using his song!

Booya boyeee!! slam dunk, case closed, McCain be winnin' bitchez!!

I also be da one who be tellin Johnny dat he counter-sue dis washed up has-been punk muthufucka to where he be livin in da geto, son. See how long dat skinny bitch Darryl be stayn wit dis played out sucka once he be flat broke. Shit, she needs to come on over and be wit a real man, ya feel me muthafuckaz?

Now let me get real fo a minute. I be spectin you bitchz bein at my trow down in da nex coupl a months, so holla bitchez!! We be havin Foty's and blunts up da ass! Ho's be skeezin and gettin down, muthufuckas! We be gettin right an shit so you know it, you know it.

Any dam way, fuck dat Jackson Browne bitch!! He don't stop his bitch-ass cryin' I be puttin a cap in his played out ass!! He be notin but a played out crack ho, no way, ya feel me??

HOLLA!!!


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