- Result of Eminem’s lawsuit against New Zealand political party set to be heard
- The rap superstar’s publishers sued the National Party over a song in an TV ad
- They claim the song ‘Eminem Esque’ is a rip-off of Eminem’s hit ‘Lose Yourself’
The result of Eminem’s lawsuit against a New Zealand political party is set to finally be revealed, just days after they were shunted from power following the country’s election.
The rap superstar’s publishers Eight Mile Style are suing the New Zealand National Party after they used a song in a campaign advertisement.
Eminem’s representatives claim the song is a rip-off of the rappers hit ‘Lose Yourself’.
The result of Eminem’s lawsuit against a New Zealand political party is set to finally be revealed, just days after they were shunted from power following the country’s election
Lawyers for the National Party claimed the song – called ‘Eminem Esque’ – was inspired by the track but is different.
The song was used in a National television advertisement that ran ahead of the 2014 general election. It was aired 186 times before it was pulled.
National went on to win the election and Prime Minister John Key was re-elected for a third term as the country’s leader.
The verdict is set to be revealed just days after National and new leader Bill English were ousted from power due to a coalition between Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern’s Labour party and New Zealand First.
The advertisement was used ahead of the 2014 election when Prime Minister John Key was re-elected for a third term as the country’s leader
At the time the lawsuit was filed, senior cabinet minister Steven Joyce said he felt National’s use of the song was ‘pretty legal’.
During a two-week trial at the High Court in Wellington in May this year Judge Helen Cull heard musicologists analyse the two songs and give differing opinions on the similarities between them.
A National Party campaign manager said she had received assurances from music and advertising experts that using ‘Eminem Esque’ was acceptable and that the song had no copyright issues.
The verdict is set to be revealed just days after National and new leader Bill English were ousted from power
But Eight Mile Style lawyer Garry Williams said it was ‘utterly clear’ National had infringed on copyright.
Jeff Bass, the composer of the opening guitar riff on ‘Lose Yourself, appeared in court and called ‘Eminem Esque’ a ‘blatant rip-off’.
Eminem’s publishers are seeking an undisclosed cash settlement and an acknowledgment that National breached copyright in their advertisement.
The verdict is scheduled to be revealed on Wednesday afternoon.
At the time the lawsuit was filed, senior cabinet minister Steven Joyce said he felt National’s use of the song was ‘pretty legal’