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Band to sue French President over copyright infringement

1 March 2009 18:13 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 3 comments

The popular indie band MGMT has accused French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his party of using one of their songs without proper compensation and has threatened to sue the President if the situation is not rectified.

Sarkozy's party, the Union pour un Mouvement Populaire (UMP) confirmed that they paid a �53 fee to France's music licensing body, but lawyers for the band say the compensation is not enough to cover the amount of times the song has been used, especially on the Web.

The party also admitted to using the track, "Kids" during the national congress speech in January as well as in two online videos and in a few political ads. The politicians offered to give the band �1 for copyright infringement.

Band lawyer Isabelle Wekstein has declined the offer and called it 'insulting.'

"This offer is disrespectful of the rights of artists and authors. It is insulting," said Wekstein. "We are dealing with acts of counterfeiting, an infringement of intellectual property."

Noting the irony of the party's actions, Wekstein added: "It seems that those who led the charge against Internet users are not the most respectful of copyright."

The UMP has been pushing hard for a 'three strikes law' that would banish pirates from the Internet after two ignored warnings. French legislators are currently readying the 3 strikes legislation for final vote.

Permalink to this article | Topic: Lawsuits & Legislation

French parliament will vote again on anti-piracy law (15 April 2009)

French National Assembly rejects 'three strikes' legislation (9 April 2009)

Disney to start own online video service? (4 March 2009)

Prime Minister blames UK, US for New Zealand 3 strikes law (25 February 2009)

French legisators ready 3 strikes legislation for final vote (24 February 2009)

'Three strikes' law shut down in Germany (3 February 2009)

'Three strikes' piracy laws coming to Italy? (22 January 2009)

New Zealand adopts '3 Strikes' law for pirates (19 October 2008)

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Discuss this article!
Lothros (Junior Member) 1 March 2009 20:34
Well, the hypocrisy is thick here... Trust the French to be like that eh? [ + quote]
ivymike (Member) 1 March 2009 21:48
Maybe Sarcozy will get the guillotine :) [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 2 March 2009 1:29
and thus why copy right needs to be overhauled... [ + quote]