Tom Petty Michelle Bachmann 2011
Getty ImagesIt’s not even 2012 yet but election season is in full bloom. And with it comes a new political ritual: First, a Republican candidate attempts to score cultural points by choosing a popular song for a political commercial or a rally. Next, a musician complains about such unauthorised use. Finally, politician says “Sorry!.”
Up first in the 2012 war is a developing dispute between singer-songwriter Tom Petty and Michele Bachmann. On Monday, Bachmann officially announced her candidacy for U.S. president. She left the stage as Petty’s “American Girl” blared over the loudspeaker. Uh-oh.
Petty is unhappy with Bachmann’s choice of exit music, according to political consultant Matt Ortega, and is in the process of sending a cease-and-desist letter. NBC News has also confirmed the report.
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This wouldn’t be the first time that Petty has fired off a legal letter for political uses of his music. Previously, the singer sent George W. Bush a C&D over his presidential campaign’s use of the song, “I Won’t Back Down.”
Bush backed down, of course. But the former president is not alone.
In the past couple of years, musicians have enjoyed great success in getting politicians to see the error of their ways.
After the 2008 campaign, John McCain was forced to make an apology to Jackson Browne to settle a lawsuit over the use of his song, “Running on Empty.” A few months after that, California senatorial candidate Chuck DeVore went on bended knee to settle claims made by Don Henley over use of the songs “Boys of Summer” and “All She Wants to Do is Dance.” And most recently, Florida governor Charlie Crist did the mea culpa to David Byrne over use of the song, “Road to Nowhere.” Crist’s apology on YouTube set the standard here.
None of these cases went to trial. No appellate circuit has yet ruled on such issues as fair use and the validity of the implied endorsement claim. Nevertheless, the DeVore case came the closest to a final ruling in favor of musicians and against politicians when the judge rejected DeVore’s defenses in the pre-trial phase.
However, DeVore used music in a political campaign ad. A dispute over music played at a campaign event, like the developing Petty vs. Bachmann fued, is an entirely new legal debate. Arguably, so long as a campaign purchases a license from the performance rights organization ASCAP, it should stand on solid ground. On the other hand, Petty could still claim that such music constituted an implied endorsement of the Republican candidate.
Bachmann has a reputation as tough-minded politician who doesn’t bend very easily. We’ll see if she’s the one to not back down with an abject apology. Stay tuned to Bachmann’s YouTube channel regardless.
E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com
Twitter: @eriqgarder
