John McCain Uses Medal of Honor Music in Ad; Composer Not Happy
By Jonathan on Thursday, June 19th, 2008 at 6:25 PM PST In Electronic Arts, Game Companies, Gamer Life, Games
You see that recent John McCain campaign video above? Does the music sound familiar? That might be because it was originally composed for Medal of Honor: European Assault. It does fit the message quite well, since the ad focuses on war, including WWII. There’s just one little problem: the composer, Christopher Lennertz, is a Barack Obama supporter. After the ad was shown, Lennertz began to receive numerous calls and letters about it, prompting him to explain in a lengthy statement:
It turns out that there was a mix-up as to which company controlled the rights to the music. The McCain campaign did nothing illegal. I do think however, that they should have checked to see if the creators of content that they are using to promote their views are in fact in sync with them…
I have been receiving many emails and calls for the past week regarding the use of my music in a national television ad for John McCain’s presidential campaign. The ad is called “Safe” and prominently features a track entitled “Casualties of War” that I wrote for Medal of Honor: European Assault. While I do not control the ownership of this piece, I am extremely disappointed its placement in this commercial. I did not authorize the use and was not made aware of the situation. Regardless of party affiliation of support, I would like to think that someone who believes in the American ideals of business and creativity like Sen. McCain supposedly does, would not want to disgrace or inflict any hardship or ill-will on the artists who create in this country by using their works to promote products and agendas which with they disagree.
As an American, I have the utmost respect and admiration for our troops and all of their sacrifices. In fact, much of the inspiration for my music in this piece came from having a grandfather who served this country honorably as an officer in World War II. I respect John McCain for his service to this country, both in the military and in Washington, but I do not and have never supported his candidacy nor his agenda for this country. I am dismayed that my music has been used to promote his platform and even more disappointed that a candidate who claims to be the best voice for American entrepreneurs and business owners in this troubled economy so flagrantly ignored the most basic values and tenents of copyright and intellectual property. What, I ask, does such an action or oversight say about Mr. McCain’s regard for the intrinsic value of American products, services, or creations? Where does the line get drawn? Is it reasonable to use my music to sell tobacco, alcohol, or pornographic materials? Is it reasonable to use it to promote a religion in which I do not believe? Is it legal?…yes, perhaps, is it ethical?…I don’t believe so. Is it American?…definitely not by my standards.
As an artist, business owner, and patriot, I proudly support Senator Barack Obama for the Presidency of the United States of America…
Um, yeah…ouch. It does make me wonder though what McCain’s stance on video games is.
Via GamePolitics
Is it legal?…yes, perhaps, is it ethical?…I don’t know. Is it American?…definitely is.
This guy is a joke. He admits he doesn’t have the rights to the music. You know what? That means the music is not his. I’m sure McCain secured the rights. And I’m sorry, but using a piece entitled “Casualties of War” as a backdrop about CASUALTIES OF WAR is not unethical. In fact, I consider this mans melodrama about “is is ok to use it to promote pornography?” as an unethical question? I mean are you serious? Give us a break. Either quit selling your music to “the man” or quit bitching when it’s not used the way you like.
Who cares, seriously… wow… he used war music for a ad about his stance on war, dang man…
People dramatize everything way to far
He’s not saying it was unfair of the company to allow McCain’s campaign to use the music, he’s complaining about the fact that he was not consulted about the use of it in the advertisement.
Even if you don’t have the rights to something, you spent your time creating it and it symbolizes who you are, and what you do. So by having the music that he created playing in a McCain ad, it makes it seem like he supports what McCain is saying. This however, is not true, and only seems to support the views of the company exec’s.
Oh…P.S…gotta love Obama.
“Even if you don’t have the rights to something, you spent your time creating it and it symbolizes who you are, and what you do.”
No. The guys a professional composer. EA hired him to make some inspirational music appropriate for a MOH game. He did. They paid him. The music is not his. Nor does it likely “symbolize who he is”. He was paid to create a product. It’s pretty simple. The guys is purely a whiner.