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The White Stripes Claim Air Force Lifted Their Song Without Permission

  • Posted on Feb 8th 2010 9:29PM by Benjy Eisen
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The White StripesThe White Stripes are not happy with Uncle Sam this week. The object of their displeasure? An ad campaign for the United States' Air Force Reserve that launched during Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast. The 30-second advertisement uses what sounds like an instrumental re-recording of the White Stripes' famous hit, "Fell in Love With a Girl," set against video footage of extreme sports.

"The White Stripes take strong insult and objection to the Air Force Reserve presenting this advertisement with the implication that we licensed one of our songs to encourage recruitment during a war that we do not support," reads a message on the White Stripes' home page. An exact copy of the statement also appears on the website of Third Man Records, the record label founded by the White Stripes' Jack White in 2001. You can view clips of both the original music video and the Air Force Reserve ad, back to back, at either website.

The statement makes a point to say that "the White Stripes support this nation's military, at home and during times when our country needs and depends on them," and clarifies that the band would like to distance themselves from the "current conflict" but wishes for a "safe and speedy return home for our troops."

According to the statement, the White Stripes plan to take immediate action to stop the ad campaign and they want fans to understand that they in no way granted permission for the song's rights in this commercial. Now, perhaps if the Air Force had wanted to use "Seven Nation Army" instead...
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Gunner

It doesn't matter if you have/n't heard of the Band/Singer before, if you dis/like their Music or if the Band/Singer is/n't Popular/Famous. The point is the Military has a Legal Department-that knows if they want to use a Tune, they have to get Permission from the Band/Singer. IF the Band/Singer says NO, find a DIFFERENT Band/Singer. It's that simple.

Don't say, that Band/Singer should be ~Honored~, it's NOT the ~*~Honor~*~ is in being 'Asked' and given the CHOICE, Your !American Freedom! to 'Accept OR Turn the Offer Down because of your Political, Religious, or Moral Belief Systems.' Not everyone is motivated by Fame & Fortune. Even though they're nice.

The love of one's country is a splendid thing, but why should love stop at the border~Pablo Casals

February 22 2010 at 5:41 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Pablo

Wake up Jack, you should actually take this as the highest form of flattery. As a former USAF Band guitarist, we only covered material we thought was good. If you are thinking of suing...forget it...DOD has the 'not for profit' clause. Above all though, wouldn't you be more 'in tune' by simply asking USAF for credits in the ad? Unless, of course, you are on some left wing wing-ding that prevents you 'on principle' from supporting our uniformed troops? Btw, where did you serve our country Jack?

February 15 2010 at 3:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Leigh

I love Jack White's music. He is extremely talented; however, I am very disappointed that he does not support the military. He obviously enjoys the freedoms our military provides.

February 12 2010 at 10:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
d robins

“This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism on command, senseless violence and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism.” Albert Einstein

“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.”
Edward Abbey


"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic or servile, but morally treasonable to the American public."
-- Teddy Roosevelt, U.S. President

February 10 2010 at 12:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
d robins

It amazes me how this article has generated so much banter about "patriotism" and "supporting our troops".
How quickly some are to accuse individuals against the war as being "unpatriotic". Reminds me of the Nazi Hermann Goering who stated how easy it was to "denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism".


"Naturally the common people don't want war. After all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, & it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, a parliament or a communist dictatorship…the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.
All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, & exposing the country to greater danger."
-- Hermann Goering, Nazi, Nuremberg trials in 1945

February 10 2010 at 12:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Howard L

They can't be serious?

February 09 2010 at 7:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
James

White Stripe Suck, Wa Wa Wa little cry baby's, Like what they say means anything? They had one hit years ago that was on the air for a month, then what? Some other band kicked their ass at a concert. That was the last anyone ever heard of them. I didn't even know they were still alive

February 09 2010 at 6:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Larry

Never heard of White Stripes, and you can bet I'll NEVER buy one of their CD's, songs, etc. Yellow Striped chicken shits; You don't have to support the war or especially Obama, but we all must support the military and the sacrifices they made.

Vietnam all over again? You betcha with shitheads like White Stripes who have their priorities AFU.

Next time Al Qeada attacks, let White STRIPES go to the battle.

February 09 2010 at 5:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
cc

Furthermore, those of you who are saying that the band only has the right to complain because of the military. Well then let them complain! As you pointed out, it is their RIGHT.

February 09 2010 at 5:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
cc

Ok, so you people think that just because you haven't heard of the band, that makes it ok for someone to use their music without permission? They have just as much right to protect their intellectual property as anyone else.

By the way, just because you haven't heard of the band, that doesn't mean their career is in the crapper or that they're a bad band. The White Stripes have a huge following. Just so you know, 99.9999% of the music that gets played on the radio is crap. The fact that you haven't heard of the White Stripes just means that you only listen whatever pop drivel the radio is shoving down your throat.

I'm not a huge White Stripes fan, but they have every right to choose how their music is used. If you pay attention the article, you'd see that Jack White does, in fact, support the troops. He just doesn't want his music used in an ad that's meant to recruit people to fight in a war he's opposed to.

February 09 2010 at 5:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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