LOS ANGELES - August 15, 2008
The singer-songwriter sued McCain and the Ohio and national
Republican committees in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on
Thursday, accusing them of using his song "Running on Empty"
without his permission.
The lawsuit claims the song's use was an infringement of his
copyright and will lead people to conclude he endorses McCain. The
suit says Browne is a lifelong liberal who is as well-known for his
music as for being "an advocate for social and environmental
justice."
The advertisement mocks Democratic presidential candidate Barack
Obama's contention that if U.S. drivers got regular tuneups and
drove on properly inflated tires, they could save the same amount
of oil that would be gained by offshore drilling. According to the
suit, "Running on Empty" plays in the background of the ad
criticizing the remarks.
Robert Bennett, chairman of the Ohio party, said the ad was
pulled when Browne objected. He called the lawsuit a "big to-do
about nothing."
McCain spokesman Brian Rogers disavowed the ad, saying it wasn't
a product of the Republican presidential candidate's campaign.
Browne's lawsuit contends the Ohio Republican party released the
ad on behalf of McCain and the RNC. The RNC did not return a phone
call seeking comment.
The suit notes that other musicians, including ABBA and John
Cougar Mellencamp, have asked McCain to stop using their work.
Browne's attorney, Lawrence Iser, called the ad's use of the
song "reprehensible."
The 59-year-old singer claims his reputation has already been
damaged and is seeking more than $75,000 in damages.
Browne released "Running on Empty" - the song and an album by
the same name - in 1977. According to the lawsuit, the album has
sold more than 7 million copies.
Browne's financial success has aided Democratic candidates over
the years. Campaign finance records show he contributed $2,300 to
Obama's presidential campaign last year and $2,000 to the Illinois
senator's campaign coffers in 2004.
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On the Net:
http://www.jacksonbrowne.com/
