(CNN) - The composer of the popular song "Eye of the Tiger" filed a copyright infringement complaint against Newt Gingrich on Monday.
Rude Music, Inc., owned by the song's co-composer Frank Sullivan, is suing the Republican presidential candidate for using the Grammy-winning song -—widely known as the anthem for the movie "Rocky III" - at events dating back to 2009.
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The five-page complaint says the Gingrich campaign has played the tune while the candidate took the stage at numerous events in this election cycle, as well as during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) for the past three years.
The document claims Gingrich is "sophisticated and knowledgeable" of copyright laws, arguing that the former House speaker has authored more than 40 copyrighted works, himself.
It also brings up the candidate's opposition to the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act. At a recent debate in South Carolina, Gingrich said, "We have a patent office, we have a copyright law. If a company finds that it has genuinely been infringed upon, it has a right to sue..."
The Palatine-based Rude Music is asking that Gingrich’s campaign discontinue its “unauthorized” use of the song, in addition to pay damages determined by the Illinois court where the suit was filed.
The Gingrich campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
– CNN’s Justin Lear contributed to this report.
Also see:
Gingrich supporter trails Romney
Romney would consider pulling NBC ad
Romney holds 14-point lead over Gingrich in new Florida poll
From CNN Politics
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You should have asked to use it first, Newt. Mitt Romney asked Kid Rock to use his "born free" song and Rock gave him permission.
Ole Frank must be low on cash. On the other hand Newt must not be too smart to use this without permisson.
The lawsuit say's he wrote more than 40 copyrighted works himself so... Its all in the details Newt. Ya know..
Like: getting the paperwork right so people can vote for you in the State you live in. Your campaign is and has
been run very sloppy. Is this how you plan to lead??
Remeber this is the Newt. Rules don't apply to him.
What is it with using these songs without permission? half of the time, they don't even listen to the lyrics. remember palin and 'barracuda'? Heck, even Reagan got caught doing it.
Half the time, they don't even listen to the lyrics before they rip off the song. wasn't it Palin that tried to use 'Barracuda"? even Reagan tried to rip off Bruce Springstein and "Made in the USA' song without knowing what it was about.
One more example of Newt's basic rule: I'll tell you what to do while doing the opposite myself.
No problem, make it "eye of Newt"
Ooops...I guess there are sane people that don't want to hitch their wagon to the Clown Parade passing thru. Hello; Sarah can help Newty with that popularity deficit? wait...you are both un-appealing to the broader audiences.
There goes Newt breaking the law again.
Is he a dem supporter or a Romney supporter by any chance or is this just another ploy coming out of CHicago style politics since it is in Illinois and reading the complaint? Why wait til now since he is complaining it was used back in 2009? Or was it not worthy enough to sue him back then and now is more advantageous because of the political scene?
Maybe the author should have called it "Eye of the Newt". Can anybody in the Republican Party do anything intelligently?
maybe he should be looked at for the felony that I watched last week, newt is clueless...
I see the Newt is tramping through a handshake opportunity. I do not blame people for wanting to shake his hand. If you are holding his hand he can't get your wallet
Looks like the republicans are going all out to stop Newt
Good for the plaintiffs. Take as much of the Newtered one's campain money as possible and keep this political turd from reaching the White House. You will not only enrich yourselves but possibly keep World War III from happening.
The hypocrisy of Gingrich knows no bounds. After all the time he's spent calling other candidates "dishonest", often over semantics, he's legitimately a criminal. The house levied a 300K penalty at him for being unethical, and now this. Newt is the worst.
Don't you know? Republikans like Gingrich don't think that laws apply to them. They just write them for the "other" people. Copywright infringement seems to be one of their favorite passtimes.
Shouldn't it be "Eye of Newt"? – quote of 3 witches in MacBeth.
You want him as a pres nominee, think again??????????
Good. I've always liked that song. It bothered be that "Survivor was letting that SOB use it. Glad to know he was using it without permission. Hope they make him stop.
People expected less from the master of ethics violations?
►Gingrich sued for using 'Eye of the Tiger' in campaign◄
A move that will cost him when he knew better; is he insane?
Well that’s the story about the “Grinch” who is known to steal with such “swagger”
In the beginning, it was an attempt to steal an “election” but now it’s the “Eye of the Tiger”
Tisk, tisk!! The further this primary is carried – the more the candidates take risk!!!
Obama 2012
Pay the man...
Good! It's a great song about a figther not a serial cheater. Go home newterman leroy. You are toast.
This is no surprise. Almost expected of Newt.