Tom Petty tells Michele Bachmann to stop using his music

The Guardian ^ | 06/29/11 | Sean Michaels

[MissesBush]

Tom Petty has told US presidential candidate Michele Bachmann to stop using one of his songs as part of her campaign, insisting he did not give the rightwing politician permission. Within 24 hours of the televised launch of Bachmann's 2012 campaign, Petty's lawyers reportedly pounced on the press-conference soundtrack, which used the song American Girl as exit music.

"Petty isn't pleased," reported NBC's Kelly O'Donnell, while Rolling Stone confirmed the singer's lawyers had sent the Minnesota congresswoman a cease and desist order. It's not even the first bump of Bachmann's campaign: during her announcement speech, the Tea Party supporter confused the birthplace of actor John Wayne with that of serial killer John Wayne Gacy.

Petty's problem appears to be with Bachmann's politics. In 2008, the singer allowed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton to use American Girl for her unsuccessful presidential bid. But he was much less sympathetic in 2000, when Republican candidate George W Bush was discovered to be playing I Won't Back Down at his rallies. "This use has not been approved," Petty's representatives told the future president. "Any use made by you or your campaign creates, either intentionally or unintentionally, the impression that you and your campaign have been endorsed by Tom Petty, which is not true." Bush , er, backed down.

Politicians have got into lots of trouble using pop songs over the last few years. From Sarah Palin and Heart to Nicolas Sarkozy and MGMT, to David Cameron and Keane, politicians' rallying songs are proving a litigious nightmare. Perhaps they ought to look into using classical music.

[Samurai_Jack]

Actually This is the best point of the thread...
What made bachmann think that tom petty would not kick her in the backside given his history? Does she need another new chief of staff?

[Recovering_Democrat]

Aw hell, can’t a company just purchase a license and play it anyway?

I remember the same thing when the jerkoff beeotches in “Heart” were whining like stuck banshees over Palin’s use of “Barracuda”.

Idiots.

[Bronzewound]

Music has already been removed from my ITunes.

May as well just go ahead and dump your whole library, then.

[Paperdoll]

The Star Spangled Banner or America softly played in background would be my selection. The heck with petty Tom Petty.

[CDFingers]

BTW Tom! Republicans PAY for the music they listen to?

[Mad Dawgg]

"Does anyone know the law in these situations? I think Michele Bachmann should stop playing the washed up, lefty loser’s lousy music anyway, but can he force her to?"

Nope he can't do squat if she has a legal copy of the music and she pays the associated fees for public performance of the piece.

Its part of the Copyright Law and Little Tommy has no say whatsoever. He can ask but he can't legally force her to stop playing it.

[EDINVA]

This happens every election cycle. Celebs warn Republicans not to use their music, while granting authorization to the Dems. Nothing really new here.

However, R’s might just stop buying his music.

[Above My Pay Grade]

Thanks. That’s how I thought it worked, but with all these lefty “musicians” filing lawsuits against Republicans, I wondered if they really had some legal right to stop their songs from being played.

I could understand if the politician gives the impression that the “artist” endorses her or uses the copyrighted music in a campaign or fundraising video (especially if they sell said videos), but I would think if you publish and record music for public consumption, you have to deal with people you might not like playing your music.

[swain_forkbeard]

“Wonder if Ted Nugent has an appropriate song?”

The recently released “I Still Believe” comes to mind. But maybe it would be more appropriate for Obama. Ted wouldn’t mind, I’m sure.

[Atlas Sneezed]

What simple minded twit in the Bachmann campaign
decided it was OK to STEAL someone else’s property ?

---

The fact is that in ALL of these circumstances, the copyright owner (which may or may not be the musician or composer) has no right to object to the use of their song at political rallies. License fees are paid as appropriate.

This is political grandstanding (by the lefty musician) with no legal basis.

And you have no clue about intellectual property law, although your confidence in your error is impressive.

[altura]

He should be totally thrilled that anyone is using his music.

I don’t know why anyone would want to use American Girl anyway. One, she’s not a girl and it sounds silly and two, the tune is not at all catchy.

[Brilliant]

I doubt he’s sold the copyright to the public. I don’t know why Bachmann would use any music without getting permission. Probably her locals did it without discussing it. Or maybe she got permission from the publisher and Petty just doesn’t know it.

[dead]

What simple minded twit in the Bachmann campaign decided it was OK to STEAL someone else's property ?

Please show where her copy of the song is stolen?

If it is legally purchased music, she can play it all day long.

I don't have Mr. Petty's permission to play any of his songs, but if my music tastes were much lamer, I could purchase something by him and play it anytime I want.

I think there may be some minimal fee to pay to the publisher if you play it a public rally, but permission is not needed.

[Above My Pay Grade]

Thanks. So are these lawsuits simply filed as public relations tactics to try to get the candidates to voluntarily stop playing the music?

[Bronzewound]

Christianity, Conservatism and Rock and Roll are not, IMHO.

So what music replaces Rock and Roll in this grouping?

[Bitsy]

boycott STP fuel treatment.
Let’s do it - I can be petty too (yes and just as childish;)
NASCAR fans ain’t gonna like this.

[Mad Dawgg]

"Thanks. So are these lawsuits simply filed as public relations tactics to try to get the candidates to voluntarily stop playing the music?"

Well I've never heard of an actual suit being filed about such, but if there is I would bet it was an attempt to uncover those Candidates that played the music but didn't pay the fees which would be a political jackpot for the Democrats!

[Above My Pay Grade]

Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs? (see Ephesians 5:19)

[Mad Dawgg]

"What simple minded twit in the Bachmann campaign decided it was OK to STEAL someone else's property ?"

I am gonna go out on a limb here and say you don't have a clue how Copyright law works for music.

Would I be correct in assuming such?

[Atlas Sneezed]

American Girl lyrics
Songwriters: Petty, Tom;

Well, she was an American girl
Raised on promises
She couldn’t help thinkin’
That there was a little more to life somewhere else

After all it was a great big world
With lots of places to run to
And if she had to die tryin’
She had one little promise she was gonna keep

O yeah, all right
Take it easy, baby
Make it last all night
She was an American girl

Well, it was kind of cold that night
She stood alone on her balcony
Yeah, she could hear the cars roll by
Out on 441 like waves crashin’ on the beach

And for one desperate moment
There he crept back in her memory
God it’s so painful when something that’s so close
Is still so far out of reach

O yeah, all right
Take it easy, baby
Make it last all night
She was an American girl