Newt Gingrich: Politician Sued by Survivor for Using 'Eye of the Tiger' for Campaign

Posted on Jan 31st 2012 2:00PM by Jason MacNeil
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Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

You can now add Survivor to the list of artists (Tom Petty, Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp and the New Pornographers to name a few) irked by politicians using their songs during election campaigns.

According to The Guardian, Newt Gingrich is being sued by Frankie Sullivan, co-writer of Survivor's classic '80s rock staple 'Eye of the Tiger,' for using the song repeatedly during campaign rallies.

"I'm sure many of you have heard the news about the request for Newt Gingrich to stop using 'Eye of the Tiger' as his campaign song," says a Facebook post by the band, who earned a Grammy Award for their 1982 hit as well as an Academy Award nomination for its use in the film 'Rocky III.'

Court documents were filed in Chicago on Jan. 30 with Sullivan -- who owns the production and publishing company Rude Music -- accusing the Republican candidate, his campaign Newt 2012 Inc. and the American Conservative Union of copyright infringement. YouTube clips from both 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference and 2009 edition show Gingrich being introduced with the tune clearly heard as he makes his way to the podium.

"Newt 2012's and Mr. Gingrich's unauthorized public performance or inducement of or contribution to the public performance of the copyrighted work infringes on Rude Music's copyright," the complaint says according to Bloomberg.com.

Survivor also stated on their Facebook page: "It is not for Political reasons, it is strictly an artist protecting their copyright. We thank you for your support."

Landing in the news this week isn't the worst thing for Survivor, either. The band, who recently welcomed back vocalist Jimi Jamison, are preparing to release a new studio album later this year and could surely use the publicity.

Watch 'Eye of the Tiger' Video

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