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Mattel Now Using Song In Commercial... Which It Once Sued Over Copyright Infringement
from the change-of-heart? dept
Back in 1997, the band Aqua released a song called "Barbie Girl," that was actually somewhat critical of "Barbie doll" culture. Mattel, famous for its rather aggressive intellectual property stance, wasted little time in suing the band, claiming the song infringed on the company's rights. In 2002, everyone's favorite appeals court judge (seriously, the guy never fails to entertain) Alex Kozinski told Mattel too bad, parody songs are a part of what you get for being a cultural icon -- and included the classic line: "The parties are advised to chill."
It took seven years since that decision, but apparently Mattel had decided to heed Judge Kozinski's suggestion. Reader Sallo alerts us to the news that Mattel has actually licensed the song for a commercial -- though, they "adjusted" some of the lyrics to make it a little more pro-Barbie, rather than mocking-Barbie. Still, that's quite a jump: from suing the band for infringement to actually licensing and using the song in just a few years.
It took seven years since that decision, but apparently Mattel had decided to heed Judge Kozinski's suggestion. Reader Sallo alerts us to the news that Mattel has actually licensed the song for a commercial -- though, they "adjusted" some of the lyrics to make it a little more pro-Barbie, rather than mocking-Barbie. Still, that's quite a jump: from suing the band for infringement to actually licensing and using the song in just a few years.
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Maybe we'll see Mattel not try to bankrupt Bratz next.
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Trademark vs Copyright
Mattel did not like it that someone used their trademark against them, now copyright is being used against the people who wrote it as I am sure they love the fact that the lyrics have been changed to promote the product.
but who knows everyone sells out these days so they are probably happily off to the bank.
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Re: Trademark vs Copyright
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I am sure Aqua is laughing their asses off over the whole thing.
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I've seen the commercial too. It fits right into the Barbie thing.
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Just saw this
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On Topic: People tend to be clueless about lyrics.
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What they wanted all along...
Changing the song's lyrics and using it for a commercial is probably what they wanted all along. They just thought they could do it with a lawsuit rather than having to actually pay for it.
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Hmm
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Coincidence
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