Yesterday afternoon I was contacted by lawyers for the heavy-metal rock band Metallica. I am being sued by plagiarism.
When I asked him why, the lawyer simply stated that the band had heard a recording of me playing “Morrison’s Jig” on the guitar at a session. He claims that the Em-D-Em-D-Em-D-G-D-G-D chord progression I used was the same one Metallica used in their hit song “Enter Sandman”. I told him that everyone I’ve ever heard uses that chord progression on Morrison’s Jig, to which he replied, “Maybe so, but your version was the one they heard, and we can go after the other guys later.”
He told me I shouldn’t feel alone in all this, because they are also suing Green Linnet claiming that their company name resembles “Black Album” too much.
So, how long has Morrison’s Jig been around as compared to the Metallica song? Maybe someone should sue Metalica for plagarism? I think they need to prove that they were playing it before anyone else did. I think they also have to prove that you financially harmed them with your riff.
This is just another case of too many lawyers with time on their hands. If they are not suing someone they are not making money.
By the way, I think we all know what they have been smoking!
Dotmusic reports Metallica have again taken to the courts this time to go after MHT Luxury Alloys, who have been producing wheels called ‘The Metallica’. An MHT spokesman denies any intention of ripping off the band’s name saying, “My boss is 48-years-old and doesn’t know much about the music industry. The wheels were metal, so he called it the Metallica. That’s all there was to it.”
Unfortunately they have to do this sort of thing. Everyone agrees that no one should be able to start a metal band and call it Metallica. To protect their mark, they have to sue everyone, because defending the mark is one of the legal requirements of keeping it. The 48-year-old boss shouldn’t take it personally, and settle asap.
P.S. Do you think Metallica has noticed that “Sony” has exactly - EXACTLY , mind you - 4/9 the number of letters as their band name, and that NONE of the letters are the same? Can this be mere coincidence? Hmm … I wonder if I might get a reward for turning them in?
Chord progressions aren’t covered under copyright law…you can not copyright harmonic progressions. Think 12 bar blues??? Good Grief.
Only melody is covered by copyright, and then it has to be proven that 75% of the notes and rhythms are the same as the original song/tune. Think George Harrison and The Shirelles (“My Sweet Lord” and “He’s So Fine”). George lost the case.
I’m going to have to sue Brassblower for pulling my leg. My chief of legal staff will be in touch. I suppose Dale and Rich will have to be contacted as well. Boy, am I steamed.
Tony
