Rage Against the Machine Ask Rush Limbaugh to Stop Using Their Music

2012-03-09

Story by Anne Erickson

Rage guitarist Tom Morello Tweets about Limbaugh’s use of band’s song

Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and the Nightwatchman is the latest musician to, er, rage about conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh using his music during his radio show. Morello Tweeted his thoughts about Limbaugh using the track ‘Sleep Now in the Fire’ last night: “Rush Limbaugh played “Sleep Now in the Fire” as a bumper on his show today,” Morello tweeted last night. “Our response: ‘Hey Jack—, stop using our music on your racist, misogynist, right wing clown show.”

Morello’s comments add to a growing list of musicians who have publically stated they don’t want Limbaugh to use their music on his syndicated radio show, including Rush, Peter Gabriel and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. The response comes after Limbaugh made a personal attack on Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke for her stance defending women’s reproductive rights.

Progressive rockers Rush went so far to send Limbaugh a cease and desist note, stating, “The use of Rush’s music in this way is an infringement of Rush’s copyrights and trademarks. The public performance of Rush’s music is not licensed for political purposes and any such use is in breach of public performance licenses and constitutes copyright infringement. There are civil and criminal remedies for copyright infringement, including statutory damages and finest.

“In addition, the use of Rush’s music in this manner implies an endorsement of the views expressed and products advertised on the show, and is in breach of not only copyright and trademark rights, but also, of section 51 of the New York Civil Rights Law. Accordingly, we hereby demand that you immediately stop all use of Rush’s music and confirm that you will do so.”

 




Anne Erickson
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Posted by Anne Erickson | Music, Rock, Rock News

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