I try find hidden nuggets of media law jewels for the Media Law Case of the Week. But this week I am going more mainstream because this tit-for-tat free speech case is so good.
Don Henley of Eagles fame is suing U.S. Senate candidate Charles DeVore for copyright infringement. Henley says use of his hit songs “All She Wants to Do is Dance” and “The Boys of Summer” in DeVore’s YouTube campaign videos violates his copyright.
DeVore, in turn, argues that ” aging liberal rockers” Henley and Mike Campbell, who filed suit with Henley, are violating his “First Amendment right to political free speech.” DeVore says he wrote new lyrics and the use was obviously parody.
Who will decide? The case has been filed in U.S. District Court in California. We’ll have to wait and see.
Even the BBC is watching.
journajunkie 