LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14 -- Renowned songwriter and liberal
political activist Jackson Browne has filed a lawsuit today against Senator
John McCain and the Republican National Committee in the United States
District Court in Los Angeles, California. The lawsuit stems from a recent
television commercial for Senator McCain's presidential bid that
incorporates the song Running On Empty, a song written by and famously
associated with Mr. Browne, it was announced today by Jackson Browne's
attorney, Lawrence Y. Iser.
The suit alleges that Senator McCain and the Republican Party failed to
obtain a licence for the use of Mr. Browne's song in the television
commercial. In the commercial-grade, Senator McCain and the Republicans mock
Democratic candidate for President Barack Obama for suggesting that the
land conserve gas pedal through proper tire inflation.
In addition to a claim for copyright infringement, the cause alleges
that by victimization a song famously associated with Mr. Browne, Senator McCain
and the Republican Party violated the United States Lanham Act by falsely
suggesting that Mr. Browne is associated with and endorses Senator McCain's
candidacy. The suit besides alleges that the manipulation of Mr. Browne's voice in the
commercial violates Mr. Browne's right of publicity under California law.
The suit seeks a lasting injunction prohibiting the use of Running On
Empty and any other Jackson Browne composition, as well as damages.
"We are confident that Jackson Browne will prevail in this lawsuit. Not
only have got Senator McCain and his agents obviously infringed Mr. Browne's
copyright in Running On Empty, but the Federal Courts receive long held that
the unauthorized usance of a famous singer's voice in a commercial constitutes
a false indorsement and a violation of the singer's right of publicity,"
Lawrence Iser of the Santa Monica, California law firm Kinsella Weitzman
Iser Kump & Aldisert said. "In light of Jackson Browne's lifelong
dedication to Democratic ideals and political candidates, the
misapplication of Jackson Browne's endorsement is entirely reprehensible,
and I have no dubiousness that a jury testament agree."
For further information, contact: Lawrence Y. Iser, 310-566-9801
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