Before he died, Adam Yauch left a will specifying that he didn’t want his music or likeness used in any commercials, ever. It didn’t take long for some company to come along and test that. As Spin reports, the Beasties are suing Monster Energy Drink for using the group’s music in promos for something called Ruckus In The Rockies. The event’s website and social media campaign also used the group’s license and linked to a Beasties mega-mix from DJ Z-Trip, which used 26 of the group’s songs. In the suit, the Beasties claim that the Monster spots went up five days after Yauch’s death. Not even remotely cool, Monster.
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Touche monster…touche
No no, it’s spelt ‘douche’.
So…wait, did Monster (or their ad agency/whatever) just…not bother trying to license the BB music they used, because they already knew they wouldn’t get the license and just hoped no one would notice? I…I don’t… what?
I was confused too, Matthew James, so I went a huntin’ and found this piece in the Hollywood Reporter that provides some clarification as the details of the case and the use of the music. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/beastie-boys-monster-energy-lawsuit-adam-yauch-360805
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I’d like to take a picture of your face, blow it up on a billboard, and use it to advertise an STD clinic I’m thinking of opening with the tagline “Don’t be like Clay…get tested”.
I’m sure you’d be upset about that, no?
I’m sure you want to control your likeness and everything you work hard to create?
Clay Graham: The new face of Genital Warts prevention!
Well, my identity and something I work hard to create in a public sphere are two different things. If I made a song that wasn’t about genital warts, but some group used it in a genital warts commercial without my consent I wouldn’t give a flying fuck. But if they used my face or name or information I would, because that’s a matter of privacy, not copy. So I guess I want “control of my likeness” but not control over “everything I work hard to create”
I’m a musician and everything I record is free. (but I won’t post a link because then I’ll get so many downvotes I’ll surely be crying myself to sleep.) I understand that the Beastie Boys are pros though, and that they make their living on music. Somehow I doubt they’re struggling for cash…
i wonder what John Bonham’s will said about the drumbeat of When the Levee Breaks.
i wonder what Joe McCoy’s will said regarding the lyrics to When the Levee Breaks.
yeah…or what Zep’s publishing would say about all their samples used on License to Ill (“the Ocean”‘s guitarr riff is in “She’s Crafty”)
I’d like to join this suit on the grounds that Monster energy drink tastes shitty, smells shitty, and its giant shitty cans take up far too much space in grocery store coolers that could be otherwise stocked with either better tasting, more alcoholic, or generally less corrosive and piss-flavored beverages.
I like the cut of your jib Crania!
This makes Monster even more disgusting than I already thought it was.
Using the Beastie Boys’ music without permission? It’s almost as though this company is run by some sort of…monster!
Well the Beasties are known for being really strict on copyright and stuff so that’s a dumb move from Monster, except if there’s been a contract behind their back.
also not sure a will is as legit as the contract between the band and the label.
I’d love to know how Monster a) is supposed to know about the content of MCA’s will a day after his death and b) why Beasties are going after a Z-Trip mixtape? Yes the Monster link is a bit damning, but this could have real knock on effects for those who’ve been remixing and using the Beasties tracks for years – they always release acapellas and instrumentals as it’s part of the hiphop culture. Now that sounds like the kings of sampling will be no-go areas if this ruling goes the wrong way (these things always have chilling or knock-on effects).
http://support.monsterfishkeepers.com/
I hope this will take up some of Monster Energy Drink’s time and they drop the lawsuit against Monster Fish Keepers!!