Rush (The Band) Yanks Music From Limbaugh Show

[Kyle Ricky]

Rush (The Band) Yanks Music From Limbaugh Show

The Rush Limbaugh Show 1270 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 RushLimbaugh.com Premiere Radio Networks.

Ladies & Gentlemen:

I am the attorney for Rush, their management company, S.R.O. Management Inc., their music publishing company, Core Music Publishing and their record company, The Anthem Entertainment Group Inc.

According to media reports, Rush Limbaugh, Premiere Radio Networks and The Rush Limbaugh Show have been using Rush's recorded music as part of what is essentially a political broadcast.

The use of Rush's music in this way is an infringement of Rush's copyrights and trademarks. The public performance of Rush's music is not licensed for political purposes and any such use is in breach of public performance licenses and constitutes copyright infringement. There are civil and criminal remedies for copyright infringement, including statutory damages and fines.

(see sections 501-513 of Title 17 of the United States Code http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html)

In addition, the use of Rush's music in this manner implies an endorsement of the views expressed and products advertised on the show, and is in breach of not only copyright and trademark rights, but also, of section 51 of the New York Civil Rights Law (excerpt attached).

Accordingly, we hereby demand that you immediately stop all use of Rush's music and confirm that you will do so.

Yours very truly,
Robert A. Farmer
Director of Legal Affairs
S.R.O. Management Inc.,
Core Music Publishing
The Anthem Entertainment Group Inc.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/rush-the-band-yanks-music_b_1325309.html

[Alpha Mare]

Never liked 'em- can't stand Geddy's crappy voice.

[Eupher]

I'm no copyright/patent/trademark attorney-type, but if the contents of that letter can be believed and it's legitimate, I have to question Limbaugh's legal people in the use of that music for ANY reason.

Jeezus, guys, you can't use music like that unless you're LICENSED to do that. And that means, of course, you're paying a royalty for the privilege of playing that music.

Had they been licensed, Rush's attorney's might have recourse to pulling the license, but Limbaugh would be under no threat of a lawsuit for using copyrighted material illegally.

This is simply stupid.

[Kyle Ricky]

With how long Rush has been using their music, they had to have known. They are just now starting to not like it. I think the Ms. Fluke thing had something to do with it.

[thundley4]

IIRC , there was some musician or group that complained about their music being used by a conservative, but they were SOOL, because the proper license was bought for the music from the publisher.

[Chris_]

IIRC , there was some musician or group that complained about their music being used by a conservative, but they were SOOL, because the proper license was bought for the music from the publisher.

That was Rush.  The band that does the opening music (The Pretenders or Refreshemnts or whatever) sued him for using their music without their permission.

[Chris_]

I'm no copyright/patent/trademark attorney-type, but if the contents of that letter can be believed and it's legitimate, I have to question Limbaugh's legal people in the use of that music for ANY reason.

Jeezus, guys, you can't use music like that unless you're LICENSED to do that. And that means, of course, you're paying a royalty for the privilege of playing that music.

Had they been licensed, Rush's attorney's might have recourse to pulling the license, but Limbaugh would be under no threat of a lawsuit for using copyrighted material illegally.

This is simply stupid.

I'm still trying to remember the last time any of their songs were played on his show.

[Airwolf]

That was Rush.  The band that does the opening music (The Pretenders or Refreshemnts or whatever) sued him for using their music without their permission.

And I think the license or rights to use the music are pretty much wrapped up by him for as long as he wants to use it which drives that cellear dwelling **** Chrissy Hynde of the Pretenders nuts.

[CactusCarlos]

IIRC , there was some musician or group that complained about their music being used by a conservative, but they were SOOL, because the proper license was bought for the music from the publisher.

The group Heart during the republican national convention because their song "Barracuda" was used by Sarah Palin.  I change the station/turn off the radio when I hear one of their songs now.