Download the new Switched app for your iPhone

Skip to Content

Engadget for the iPhone: download the app now
AOL Tech

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iTS, iTunes, Apple

Rock band The Knack sues Apple and others

eWeek reports that Seventies rock band The Knack is suing Apple, Amazon, Yahoo, RealNetworks, Napster - and rap group Run DMC - for copyright infringement, based on the distribution of Run DMC's 1986 song "It's Tricky," which is alleged to have used an unauthorized sample of The Knack's "My Sharona." As if that weren't enough, they've named Russel Simmons and a handful of music publishers and record labels in the suit just to make sure they've covered all 20 years worth of bases.

Why wait 20 years? Um... I'm thinking it has something to do with $$$. But the plaintiffs, Knack's front man Doug Fieger and lead guitarist Berton Averre, swear they never even heard the Run DMC rip-off until August 2005. This blogger wishes she could say the same about "My Sharona" :) It could also have something to do with Fieger's recent surgery to have two brain tumors removed... when you're reminded of your own mortality like that, it tends to make you wonder who you could possibly sue before you die.

But seriously, what has Apple or Amazon or anyone but Run DMC done wrong? These companies barely existed back then, if at all, and they certainly weren't in the music business. Why should they be on the hook for selling music that no one raised any eyebrows about for twenty years? Of course I, being an arrogant, elitist music snob, might say they all get what they deserve for doing anything at all to facilitate the distribution of Run DMC or The Knack, but I suspect that is not a valid legal argument.
jobs & resumes
Mac Support Technician

Kerdan - Cambridge, MA (2 weeks ago)

See More Relevant Jobs ›

Related Articles From Our Partners

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

Tip of the Day

Want to drag a file to another folder and copy it instead of moving it? Press the Option key when you drag that file and it'll be duplicated rather than moved entirely.

Follow us on Twitter!

TUAW [Cafepress] 

Featured Galleries

DNC Macs
Macworld 2008 Keynote
Macworld 2008 Build-up
Google Earth for iPhone
Podcaster
Storyist 2.0
AT&T Navigator Road Test
Bento for iPhone 1.0
Scrabble for iPhone
Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer Briefcase
Apple Vanity Plates
Apple booth Macworld 07
WorldVoice Radio
Quickoffice for iPhone 1.1.1
Daylite 3.9 Review
DiscPainter
Mariner Calc for iPhone
2009CupertinoBus
Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D
MLB.com At Bat 2009
Macworld Expo 2007 show floor

 

Our Writers

Victor Agreda, Jr.

Programming Manager, AOL Tech

RSS Feed

View more Writers

More Apple Analysis

AOL Radio TUAW on Stitcher