(CNN) – The Romney campaign has received a cease-and-desist request from the rock band Silversun Pickups, which alleges illegal use of its song "Panic Switch" at a campaign event in August in North Carolina.
"Seems as if the GOP is once again whimsically ignoring our great nation's laws to do whatever it wants to do, and shooting itself in the foot in the process," band representative Ken Weinstein said in a statement Wednesday.
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"Without any regard for copyright or intellectual property laws, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has, without permission, begun to use Silversun Pickups' 2009 smash 'Panic Switch' at campaign stops across the country," the band said.
Romney spokeswoman, Amanda Henneberg, responded to the request saying, "The song was inadvertently played during event set-up before Gov. Romney arrived at the location."
"As anyone who attends Gov. Romney's events knows, this is not a song we would have played intentionally. That said, it was covered under the campaign's regular blanket license, but we will not play it again," said Henneberg.
In their statement, Silversun Pickups said, "Neither the band nor its representatives were contacted to gain permission for the use of the song, and the band has no intention of endorsing the Romney campaign. The band's attorney issued a cease-and-desist today."
"We're nice, approachable people. We won't bite. Unless you're Mitt Romney!" lead singer and guitarist Brian Aubert said. "We were very close to just letting this go, because the irony was too good. While he is inadvertently playing a song that describes his whole campaign, we doubt that 'Panic Switch' really sends the message he intends."
This is far from the first time a campaign has been asked to stop playing a band's music at campaign events. For example, the composer of the popular song "Eye of the Tiger" filed a copyright infringement complaint against Newt Gingrich during the Republican primary season earlier this year. And, during his 2008 campaign, soul singer Sam Moore asked then-senator Obama to stop using his song "Soul Man."
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" The band representative" You mean the drummers mom?
romney has no reguard for the law . He thinks he can buy anything. Besides he will just lie and say he never used it. This is not a guy who should be president but a tax evading lier.
lol, no one wants to be associated with the Republicans. Why can't the GOP candidates ever play anything from the handful of musicians who support Republicans? You know, Ted Nugent, Megadeath, Pat Boone... Oh, never mind.
Apparently, "free market" to a Repub means a license to steal ...
Oh big surprise.... Another Liberal Hollywood band who claims they in fact are the ones in touch with americans... I wish Romney would replace this with Hank William Jr. – Country Boy Can Survive.
BTW... Silvesun pickups... Who cares I can't even tell if it's a guy or girl who sings....
How can the band claim that Romney used the song illegally when they purchased a license from the label to play it? Labels sell artists song in these blanket licenses to all sorts of outlets, to be played in the background of your local mall, to companies to use in commercials, etc... If you don't want your song included in these blanket licenses, tell the label not to include them. There is nothing illegal about what the campaign did here, as far as I can tell from the story, they did everything by the book, and went above and beyond with respecting the band's request, even though legally they didn't have to.
If there is a silver lining to all this ridiculousness, it is that our politicians are being educated as to the finer points of the horror that is our current copyright regime. Too much to hope that legislators will wake up a restore some sanity?
A few months back Romney ripped off a Canadian artists song "wavin flag" by Knaan and was told to stop. Knaan said hed let Obama use it.
well, Silversun Pickups' are off my favorites from now on lol.
Let 'em play Substitution then, man. Cause that's what's coming. II like the songs, the band and the Romney campaign.
Guess we now know why no one has ever heard of the silver spun pickups... They aren't very smart and do not know how to market themselves. Who cares if you like a candidate or not! Exposure is good, no matter the venue. However, the line where they said, "... As long as you're not Romney..." indicates that they aren't very bright.
Romney doesn't need the band's permission to play their song. The campaign paid a licensing fee to the licensing companies (BMI, ASCAP, etc.) that are responsible for these types of things. Silversun Pickups probably doesn't even own the rights to their own songs.
They should sue Romney for unauthorized use. He thinks nothing of taking money from vulnerable Americans.
Oooops, we got caught but won't do it again until the next time we get caught...
uh, bahahaha
better stick to country music & maybe ted nugent... & learn to ask first
Ha, here we go again. Bands do not want to be associated with the Repubs, A band did the same thing with the McCain/Palin campaign
This is sheer nonsense.
They responded that "it was covered under the campaign's regular blanket license, but we will not play it again," said Romney spokesperson.
End of story.
Same old GOP, they always have an excuse when they break the law, and lie their way out of it.
"We were very close to just letting this go, because the irony was too good. While he is inadvertently playing a song that describes his whole campaign, we doubt that 'Panic Switch' really sends the message he intends."
I'm deaf lol I don't know the song. lol
but the tiltle did make me smile a bit.
Who is this band? I would think they would welcome any publicity.
Well, I guess the members of the Silverton Pickers can go back to Burger King with pride today; knowing they did their part to, "Stick it to the man!!!....yeah!!!...rock on!!!" Remember guys, use this new found pride and enthusiasm to clean that deep frier extra awesomely, keep those napkin bins stocked, and make sure Mom gets an super big hug for keeping your room in the basement extra clean. Rock on!!!
As usual, Romney thinks the rules for everyone else do not apply to him. He can hide his taxes, hide his money all over the world to avoid taxes, lie constantly about President Obama, pretend he has an economic plan that does not exist, and show total disregard for anyone not of his wealth, self-created status and self-worth. Romney is not Presidential material. Presidents work for the benefit of the People and know this is the purpose of their job. Romney could care less about the People. He just wants the title and the power and that is dangerous for America. We need to stand with President Obama, a true leader, a true advocate for the People, and dedicated to restoring America and the American dream for ALL of us.
This guy has a glass jaw so this band thing probably got Mitts camp woozy. Pathetic he basically heckles the President all year and cries like a little girl when the Pres and VP hit back. I love the bands comments, only an idiot would vote for this guy, trust me I don't care how rich you think you are Mitt not in your tax bracket and the millions he's be collecting to buy office trust me those smarmy millionaires trust me are not dong it out of the goodness of their heart. They expect ROI
Stupidity knows no bounds, I guess. They (Silversun Pickups) should be thrilled that the Romney campaign is trying to help them become viable and transcend from obscurity.
Oh well...
The unhinged GOBP tea potty lead the world in shooting at their own feet. Mitt the twit and Alfalfa Ryan are their ticket.