RSS
REM Copyright Suit Against Danish Band May Backfire, Since The Dane's Song Came First
from the oooooops dept
Last year, the lawsuit between Joe Satriani and Coldplay got lots of attention, as Satriani accused Coldplay of ripping off one of his songs. Of course, Satriani's claims were greatly weakened when people turned up other songs from well before Satriani's that sounded quite similar as well.
It looks like REM and Warner Music may be in a similar situation. Michael Scott points us to the news that Warner and REM are suing the Danish pop band Hej Matematik, claiming that the band's song Walkmand copies REM's 2008 song Supernatural Superserious. There's just one (somewhat major) problem. Walkmand is a cover song. The original was by another Dane, Michael Hardinger, and was called Walk, Mand!!, and was recorded in 1981... seventeen years before REM's release. In fact, Hej Matematik got permission from Michael Hardinger before doing their version. I'm guessing REM did not. Feel free to compare all three songs below:
29 Comments | Leave a Comment..
- How Much Is Enough? We've Passed 15 'Anti-Piracy' Laws In The Last 30 Years
- Justice Department Wants $5 Million To Bolster Its Efforts As Hollywood's Private Police Force
- Two Contradictory Paths In The UK When It Comes To Copyright Issues
- Labels Finally Realize It's Better To License Music To Baidu Than To Fight It
- Warner Music Group Employee Charged With Stealing $700,000
Reader Comments (rss)
(Flattened / Threaded)
But, but...
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Doh!
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Hoisted
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Wow
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
I can't believe it!
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re: I can't believe it!
The fact that REM was even suing should have backfired.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Two Things
2) A lot of these older bands that my parents played when I was a kid are all turning out to be copyright enforcement jerks. Making me lose all respect for what once sounded great during my growing years.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: I can't believe it!
If I knew the language, I'm sure that it would be easier to compare the original the remake.
But, I doubt anyone will be confusing these songs anytime soon.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
REM's song song sounds closer the 1981 song than the recent one.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Its all lame
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
WTF??
1) Not only do each of the three songs sound NOTHING alike, but...
2) The true original sounds like a prototype for the early REM sound!
I think Stipe and Co. are pissed that someone is building off the artist THEY built off!
Frank Zappa once pointed out quite well, that there is no new chord arrangement under the sun, and there hasn't been for like, hundreds of years; they've ALL been done by someone before. So this suit, and any like it are PURE RUBBISH.
Given that, this is laughable. Made even more so by the fact that NO ONE in their right mind would have even dreamed that these songs were even REMOTELY similar.
What the fuck are you assholes smoking, Stipe? I don't want any... It's totally fucking up your sense of perception. (and not in a good way)
REM = NEIL YOUNG
Flabby Has-Beens with chips on their shoulders...
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Oh Yeah, and...
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Oh Yeah, and...
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Sue You!
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Oh Yeah, and...
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: I can't believe it!
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Hum, I'm liking Hej Matematik.
As for the similarities? I actually had to listen for it. Straight out of the box, I didn't even notice. After listening (to the chorus), I noticed it.
On Warner Bro's part? I just got one word to say: "Whoops!"
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Hum, I'm liking Hej Matematik.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
To all musicians leaving comments.
"I am a musician; and I have trouble hearing similarities between the songs. "
or Claes:
"I'm a musician too, and I cannot hear any more likeness than..."
See guys, here is your problem exactly - you are just musicians, not lawyers! Any lawyer will hear that those songs are exactly the same! From first two-three sounds they'll know it for sure! So, you actually cannot be experts here, sorry...
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
That must be why they are suing.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
FUCKING MORONS, STOP SUEING AND GO BACK TO MAKING MUSIC, NOT ENEMIES!
Fawkheads!
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Oh man
Honestly, I didn't realize they were even still around. Stipes' histrionics stopped being relevant around 1989 or so.
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: I can't believe it!
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
[ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]
Add Your Comment