Turns out there’s still hope of getting paychecks in indie rock, just be cool with getting low-balled by French heads of state. The Wesleyan boys are seeking damages for President Sarkozy using “Kids” as his campaign soundtrack and in two web videos without just compensation. The administration did pay 53 euros to license the track, but MGMT’s lawyer claims that isn’t enough to cover the additional internet usage. Sarkozy’s counter offer: a sizable 1 (i.e. one) euro. Le you-got-served, MGMT. Actually, Sarkozy got served. With a lawsuit. Because that is statutory rape of his artist-fee obligations. (I’m a civil law expert, don’t worry about it.) Worth noting: The French government is in the midst of pushing through extensive anti-piracy and file-sharing legislation (i.e. vague irony). Sorry Sarkozy, MGMT are a very sexy duo who have international counsel for real. And all this after MGMT taught Paris the meaning of Thanksgiving. More at BBC.
You Might Also Like
 Trent Reznor, MGMT Oppose SOPA/PIPA In Letter To Congress |  Beavis & Butt-head Mock MGMT Again |  MGMT – “All We Ever Wanted Was Everything” Video |  Stream Atlas Sound Parallax |
 |
 |
“SHITPIZZA!”
fighting the system.
greatest headline ever
M = Money
G = Grabbing
M = Mongering
T = Tools
Kids used in gov’t marketing? I can’t even wrap my head around that…it’s too…wow.
Go MGMT!!! As a french citizen I can say that I’m very happy with this!!! It’s so ironic! And nobody talks about it in the national press…
You can only hope that they’re doing it ironically.
Otherwise this is just completely ridiculous.
since when MGMT are indie rock???
Great live band.
On a sidenote, 53 euros, is that it, i’ve spent more money on weed killer.
MGMT,
YOU SUCK.
YOU ARE NOT LEGIT.
YOU KNOW IT.
WE DO TOO.
THINK ABOUT IT.
GOOD LUCK.
SARKOZY,
YOU SUCK.
YOU ARE NOT LEGIT.
YOU KNOW IT.
WE DO TOO.
THINK ABOUT IT.
GOOD LUCK.
CARLI BRUNI,
WHAT’S UP GIRL?
CALL ME.
its C-A-R-L-A you cunt.
Karla, You still a pretty girl. CALL ME ?
yr pathetique enough to reply – and again, you leave no number. what a crate of rotten lumber you are.
seriously best stereogum headline ever…..best anything headline ever
go sarkozy
go carla!
I love this
Don’t call MGMT indie rockers. They are as corporate as they come.
I think the irony that some people are missing is that you have someone lobbying for illegal downloading on the internet to stop but uses a song without permission and thinks one euro would be enough for compensation, I say kudos to MGMT even though they suck and are incredibly boring live–stick it to the man!
Viva MGMT!
oh sarko, le pauvre! je suis sûre que c’est l’influence de carla bruni parce qu’elle est vachement branchée.
?53?! Darn, I thought MGMT were huge over there. That’s just peanuts! I’m sure Kevin Barnes got more for the Outback ad!
It’s incredibly stupid that a national government won’t follow simple laws like this. Sue the man just for the stupidity!