If there's anyone in the rap game you don't want to mess with, it's Eminem. Well, apparently New Zealand's National Party didn't get that memo because the political group allegedly used the rapper's "Lose Yourself" without his permission during one of their campaign ads. And now he's suing them, according to the New Zealand Herald.
Arguably one of his most popular tunes – the track was the single for his 2002 film 8 Mile – the rapper's publishers, Eight Mile Style LLC and Martin Affiliated LLC, are calling the party's use of a "similar" song copyright infringement. The company filed complaints just yesterday at Wellington in the High Court.
The publishers' spokesperson, Joel Martin, told the New Zealand Herald, "Eminem's publishers were not approached for permission to use any of Eminem's songs for this campaign advertisement."
He continues, "It is both disappointing and sadly ironic that the political party responsible for championing the rights of music publishers in New Zealand by the introduction of the three strikes copyright reforms should itself have so little regard for copyright."
The artist's representation has threatened with "immediate action" in order to protect the value of his work.
As for the National Party, they reject the allegations, claiming, "The National Party will be defending this action vigorously. As the matter is now before the courts we will not be making any further public comment."
New Zealand's party notes that the song has been used by other organizations before without any problem whatsoever.
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