Hilarious metaphors and demented storylines aside, Eminem proves again that he is about his business. He has won an injunction over politicians who helped themselves to his lyrics without consent.
During a 2014 election campaign, the National Party ran an advertisement that incorporated a song that was almost identical to Em’s seminal hit “Lose Yourself”. Of course, this got back to the Detroit MC who proceeded to file a lawsuit. The commercial ran 186 times on television before it was pulled. Here is the infringing clip in question.
And here is the original “Lose Yourself” which was originally featured in the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile.
Thankfully Captain Obvious talked some sense into the judge who sided in Marshall’s favor. On October 25 the High Court of New Zealand ruled that the National Party must pay Eminem $413,000 in penalties plus interest.
In an official press release, Judge Helen Cull states that there were several similarities between the two compositions. “The differences between the two works are minimal; the close similarities and the indiscernible differences in drum beat, the “melodic line” and the piano figures, make ‘Eminem Esque’ strikingly similar to ‘Lose Yourself.”
Mathers has yet to comment on the announcement but his lawyer Adam Simpson sees the ruling as a victory for all artists. “We think it’s a very strong judgment and a cautionary tale for people who make or use sound-alikes around the world.”
To add to their struggle the National Party just lost the 2017 election to the Labour Party.
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Photo: WENN.com
