John McCain sued by singer Jackson Browne

Legal News Line ^ | 8/16/2008 | Chris Rizo

[jasonmyos]

LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline)-Singer and songwriter Jackson Browne has filed a lawsuit against Republican presidential hopeful John McCain and the Republican National Committee for using his 1977 hit song "Running on Empty," in a television ad.

The ad criticizes Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama for telling Americans they can increase their gas mileage by keeping their car tires inflated to the proper pressure.

In court papers filed in Los Angeles, Browne said the TV spot violates copyright law and falsely suggests that he endorses McCain's candidacy.

The lawsuit says Browne throughout his career has "closely associated himself with liberal causes and Democratic political candidates" and causes.

[PJBankard]

Yes that does happen but in this case he renewed the copyright in 2005. So unless he did that after that date he still owns that songs rights.

[PJBankard]

Yes I completely agree, I don’t think he signs off on every use of the song. I believe a third party is used and it would be nice to know who that was and if they signed off on the use of the song or not.

[TribalPrincess2U]

And a DemocRAT no doubt.

[TNdandelion]

Is Jackson Browne still beating up women?

[elkfersupper]

This gave me an idea.

Maybe we should sue John McCain for impersonating a Republican.

[thackney]

Is that what he’s supposed to be impersonating?

Pretty bad impersonation after all these years of practice.

[MarineBrat]

The new Dixie Chick?

[SJSAMPLE]

GREAT musician and songwriter.

Piss poor politician.

I try not to confuse the two, because I really like his work (except the 1980s stuff).

[Andy from Chapel Hill]

I think it is brilliant that McCain is tweaking liberals in each of his ads. And, I am sure his team is paying the proper licensing fees.

When these whiners come out and file suit or stage a hissy-fit, the press picks up on it and plays McCain's ads over and over and over and.....

Lots of free bandwidth — great idea!

[elkfersupper]

Well, there is that.

Maybe he is the personification of the Republican.

Sad.

[Texas Songwriter]

Why would Mr. Browne want to go to court against a sitting PRESIDENT?

[oblomov]

Lawyers in love...

[aruanan]

John McCain sued by singer Jackson Browne

I guess Jackson's pretty much runnin' on empty.

[aruanan]

If the McCain campaign paid the fees for the song’s use or used a small enough snippet to come under fair use, tough crap to JB.

[Revolting cat!]

The former “Next Dylan” who isn’t!

[aruanan]

1. Using anyone’s music without permission is bad enough. You don't know this.

2. But using a known liberal rock performer’s stuff in an ad lampooning a liberal candidate is way stupood. No, it's actually pretty funny.

[Clintonfatigued]

“Running On Empty” is a good song. Still, Browne is being a hypersensitive jerk with this lawsuit.

[aruanan]

Isn’t he the guy that told Hannity to stop playing his intro music?

No. That was a one hit wonder guy, Bruce Hornsby.

[aruanan]

Isn’t he the guy that told Hannity to stop playing his intro music?

No. That was a one hit wonder guy, Bruce Hornsby.

"Bruce Hornsby is a practicing Christian Scientist [1]. He has endorsed Barack Obama for President in the 2008 election."

Figures that someone who falls for something that is neither Christian nor scientific would fall for an equally empty shell like Barack.

[ThreePuttinDude]

Bruce Hornsby

Yep, thats the goofball, thanks