Posted on 07/22/2016 1:05:49 PM PDT by jeannineinsd
The Beatles’ beloved Abbey Road song “Here Comes the Sun” was played at the 2016 Republican National Convention Thursday as Ivanka Trump took the stage, and late Thursday night, George Harrison’s estate slammed Republican nominee Donald Trump for using the song, calling the act “offensive” and “against the wishes of the George Harrison estate.” (Harrison wrote the track.)
“The unauthorized use of #HereComestheSun at the #RNCinCLE is offensive & against the wishes of the George Harrison estate,” Harrison’s estate’s official Twitter account posted.
The account then followed up and joked that maybe another one of Harrison’s songs would have better suited the Republican National Convention: “If it had been Beware of Darkness, then we MAY have approved it! #TrumpYourself.” (“Beware of Darkness” appears on Harrison’s solo album All Things Must Pass.)
(Excerpt) Read more at ew.com ...
Good point.
I wonder if the estate actually owns the copyright still.
Essentially, it already works that way. If a bar want to have cover bands it needs to pay ASCAP or BMI for the right to do so.
You don't own the rights, you pay ASCAP or BMI for a license to play the music. And because of the personal nature of politics, these licenses almost always have an exemption for political campaigns. As for Neil Young, he did complain and Trump called him a hypocrite for it. But Trump has also never used that song in a political event since.
and a harri krishner nut.
You know, I always liked that song. And I wonder if Donald chose it specifically for Ivanka. Because the lady is sunshine.
And I cant stand Pawn stars
It wasn’t The Beatles, that’s for sure - it G.E. Smith’s house band that played it, and they only played the intro and first verse before cutting it off so Ivanka’s speech could begin.
That’s what I also thought. There are some songs that have become such a part of our culture that they become public domain. Sort of like the Happy Birthday song.
Bunch of liberal English twits. Who cares?
George Harrison will moan and groan about Trump using his song, but he won’t refuse the royalty fee for doing so.
Yeah they do because ASCAP and BMI licenses have an exemption for political events. The artist could sue, but unless the offender keeps using the song over and over then there really isn't any point. So Trump plays the song once, they act all outraged, they get their name in the news, Trump never plays the song again, and it's all over.
Tough nuts.
Why Queen & George Harrison’s Estate Probably Can’t Sue Over Having Their Songs Played At RNC
Did they?
Harrison’s estate would have to pay the same fees if they wanted to use the music in a commercial setting, as the rights were sold years ago, they have zero say in use today.
That's true. I understand when Paul McCartney wanted to print Beatles lyrics in a tour book a number of years back he found out that he'd have to pay Michael Jackson some outrageous amount for the rights so he didn't
95 years? Really! Just to play (not copy) a song? Once? PHOOEY!!!!
No. “Happy Birthday” was only declared public domain, I think, last year. Before then, the courts demanded that royalties be paid on it. Absurd beyond belief, but that’s lawyers for you.
As far as “Here Comes the Sun” is concerned, the house band played many cover versions during the course of the convention. Obviously, whoever was in charge of this would have had a list of songs and made sure they were all approved by ASCAP (or whoever).
If Harrison’s estate doesn’t like it, they can pretend they’re grown-ups for a moment or two, realize they don’t have the rights to control it, and STFU.
That’s not really political use (e.g., using the music with words to make a political point—i.e., “Here comes the Trump”!)
No, 95 years for a song written in 1969 to enter the public domain. Longer if the owner of the rights extends the copyright.
I am WAAAAAAAY past the point of giving a diseased rat’s ass about whether my words or deeds, or those of others who think along the same lines as me, offend liberals and Leftists. Their EXISTENCE offends me - their lies, their hatred for all that is good and decent, their disparaging of this nation, etc., etc. Frankly, if something is done or said that does NOT offend the special snowflakes, I’ve got to wonder what I’ve done wrong.
In this life you are known and judged by not merely your friends and the company you keep, but also by who considers themselves your enemy. Trump has ALL of the right enemies - he’s my kind of guy, and he’s had my vote locked up for a long time.
Harrison’s wrinkled, old, Leftist hag of a very rich widow doesn’t like Trump using his song? Too f’ing bad!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.