What Is It With All The Lawsuits Lately?
Apparently Jack Thompson isn't the only person who doesn't understand how parodies work in the legal system. It seems that Neil Diamond and his stretch pants were offended by a parody of his it, "Hello Again", when Drew Koehler reworded it into "Halo Again" for his podcast on the Hardcore Christian Gamers Network (bwah?). It seems that one of the podcast listeners thought the lyrics would be even funnier if they put them together with some video footage and then post the result to YouTube, which is where both Diamond and Sony got offended, judging by the letter sent to Koehler:
Dear Mr. Koehler,Sony/ATV Music Publishing, on behalf of Stonebridge Music, is the exclusive administrator of 100% of the musical composition entitled “Hello Again” (Diamond, Lindgren) (the “Composition”). It has recently come to our attention that you have created a parody version of the Composition entitled “Halo Again” (the “Parody”) and have subsequently distributed the Parody as a download via your website www.christian-gaming.com (the “Site”) and as part of a video currently streaming on YouTube (the “Video”).
Please be advised that your unlicensed and unauthorized use of the Composition constitutes a serious infringement of Stonebridge Music’s copyright. Demand is hereby made that you immediately cease and desist from streaming and/or distributing the Parody and the Video, via the Site or otherwise, and destroy all copies of the Parody and/or Video in your possession. Failure to comply shall result in Sony/ATV pursuing any and all remedies available to it including, without limitation, litigation.
The foregoing shall not be deemed to limit or prejudice Sony/ATV or Stonebridge Music’s rights, all of which are specifically reserved.
Sincerely,
Sean Melia
Director
Business Affairs & Licensing
Yes indeedy, boys and girls, Neil Diamond hates Halo! Or parodies! Or maybe just people who don't sing while wearing lounge lizard clothing! Anyone want to take bets on how long this will last in court before a judge laughs it out?
God himself may have laughed, but Neil Diamond and Sony are no fans of parody [Destructoid]
Boy of Tomorrow
Posted to on 29 September 2007
· Comments (7)
Other stuff like this: grow a sense of humor you geriatric lounge lizard, halo, legal threats, neil diamond, parody, satire, sony, stretch pants
Oops, posted twice didya?
Eh, its 2007 and when people see an opportunity to sue the hell out of someone, or even use a law or regulation to their advantage *cough*DMCA*cough*, they do so.
That or people just love wasting taxpayer money.
I'm waiting for him to get pissed off at G4 for the 'E.T. My Alien Friend and Me' from Code Monkeys.
I love the destroy all copies in your possession part; impossible to enforce or even investigate.
I guess their next step will be to attack all of the people who, in true internet fashion, have downloaded or distributed it without the creator being involved.
Koehler is lucky he doesn't live in Rapture where they wouldn't bother to sue annoying pardody artists.
First off, Sony/ATV/Stonebridge music is the one complaining, NOT Neil Diamond. They own the rights to the song, not Neil.
Also, the photo you have up is of an impersonator named Tom Sadge and is NOT Neil Diamond. Get your facts straight and get your photos straight.
I don't know why people have to crucify the artists for what the music label does. I don't see anything that says Neil Diamond complained or turned you in.
Next time you use someone elses song, pay your royalties and you'll be ok.
just stumbled across this lol. what a stupid thing to happen to us. I had downloaded the karaoke track from a legal site and even paid for it then I wrote the lyrics myself. I think neil diamond must have a child that pays him no attention due to videogames, that and his dad is neil diamond how embarassing.