John McCain: Jackson Browne Used Me

John McCain is returning Jackson Browne's August lawsuit complaining about McCain using his song "Running on Empty" during his campaign by claiming Browne is just trying drum up publicity for his own album, reports TMZ.

McCain's lawyers filed a response, saying Jackson complained so he could get press to promote his new album, which came out a month later.

J-Mac also makes the argument he could use the tune whenever and where he wants because he was running for Prez, not trying to make a buck off it. If the court buys this "political speech as public interest" claim, it pretty much means curtains for a bunch of other musicians who were PO'd about their songs being used by the GOP.

The list of other acts mad at McCain for playing their songs includes Van Halen, Heart, Foo Fighters and more.

Comments

[Cogs]

McCain should have asked his hero "Joe the Dumber" to pen him a campaign theme song. I'm sure he could have up with a catchy ditty about puttin' the country first, winnin' wars and catchin' Bin Laden.
Sarah and Cindy could sing backup vocals while Joe Lieberman whispers the lyrics in his ear.

I recall Jackson Browne is not someone with whom you want to mess He forced TBS to apologize for their movie in which Daryll Hannah is rescued by JFK, Jr. from her abusive boyfiend. Browne was never charged by police with assualt and stated that Hannah's injuries were the result of him defending himself.

[ahcmon]

I'm not sure why trying to pin Oslick&glib to a REAL answer during his "tour" qualifies Joe for the "dumb" label. Also I don't understand American's willingness to allow celebrities to sway their votes. Stars aren't any smarter than the rest of us,just better-looking and more talented,sometimes. People make your own decisions. I used to love Jackson Browne. He's good, not great. He should be happy to be played again and stop whining.

[elliegrl]

So now not only the President doesn't have to follow the rules, but people running for Prez don't either? And McCain's campaign was hardly a public service.

[ChicoBrisbane]

I don't know why the McCain campaign couldn't have contacted the publisher and licensed the song like every other person who wants to use an artists song in a movie or for some other public event where the artists is entitled to royalties? - Do people think that these songs get played on the radio for free? - The problem is that people like McCain and Palin is that they think that these laws don't apply to them and for the person who said "It's just a song - Get over it" How would you like it if your kid's school picture showed up in some magazine ad for child abuse without your permission?

[KOisGod]

republican's - dea d, by the side of the road, run out of gas, ideas, morality and leadership.

[something81]

its a song..get over it.

[TJRich]

Oh no you didn't say "get over it"! You can't steal someone's livelihood and tell them to 'get over it'. Songs are his business, his work. McC looks like a pilferer and scofflaw and worst to countersue to avoid doing what's right. McC owes him for the use of that song!

[yodaveg]

If McCain wanted to use a Jackson Browne song, he should've chosen The Pretender. I'm sure Jackson would've approved.

[1logicalthinker]

The Pretender would have been good, but I think "Before the Deluge" (of Obama's landslide victory) would have been better :)

[MountPanic]

So Browne "used" the opportunity to "spread a little capitalism" to his album sales and McCain's complaining?

And how does that differ from McCain using Jackson to spread a little blame for his own DISASTER OF LEGENDARY PROPORTIONS?

You know, other than Browne being clear on what "ownership" means and McCain clearly not.

[Warheit]

Let's see if I understand McCain correctly. He says, "because I'm a politician, I have a right to steal." Well, we all know that they do, but this is the first time I've ever heard one of them say so in so many words. Just another wonderment from the Straight Talk Express.

[bighillaryfan]

Boy, Jackson needs his eyes doctored. :-)

[Ouroboros]

The main reason why the GOP complains about frivolous lawsuits is because they file most of them themselves, and project their sins upon everyone else, like they always do, because they're scoundrels.

[Excitedforfuture]

So I'm waiting for everyone else who didn't want them using their songs to release their new albums. I look forward to the new Heart album!

[wordvarc]

McCain's attorneys are wanting to be paid more and are drumming up frivolous business.

He'd be best distancing himself from every aspect of his desultory campaign, attorneys, and staff.

[roshni]

Just because someone is running for office does not mean he can STEAL peoples' intellectual property. This is especially true since JB was politically opposed to McCain.
I hope McCain gets nailed for this.

[strandwolf]

Precisely!

[btanner]

Gimmicky to the end. Just because you were a POW doesn't excuse you from obeying the law.

[woodwakr]

Let me get this straight... JACKSON BROWNE needs to hang onto JOHN MCCAIN's coat-tails to bolster his popularity?

BWAAAHAAAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAHAHAHA!

Stop it. Yer killin' me.