On April 1, California State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore’s campaign for U.S. Senate against Barbara Boxer released the YouTube, “After the Hope of November is Gone,” a parody video based on Don Henley’s “The Boys of Summer.” The video criticized President Obama and mocked celebs like Henley who have been made “crazy” with desire over the President. 

It took just six days for Henley to file a copyright claim under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and YouTube immediately took the video down.  

–

Refusing to be intimidated, DeVore fired back with a DMCA counter-notification and on April 14th created another YouTube parody aimed at Boxer’s support for cap-and-trade. ”All She Wants to do is Tax” is based Henley’s “All She Wants to do is Dance” and immediately began racking up 10,000 views a day.

Though he doesn’t hold the rights to ”Dance,” Henley filed a federal suit against DeVore and encouraged the true copyright holder to file a copyright infringement complaint with YouTube.  Within a few days YouTube took DeVore’s second video down. Then DeVore caught Henley off guard and fought back with a counter-suit claiming Henley was infringing on his First Amendment right to political parody.   (more…)

Rocker Don Henley’s legal threats have shut down our rough cut April Fool’s music video Obama lampoon based on “The Boys of Summer” on both YouTube and on Orange County’s alternative newspaper, the O.C. Weekly.  We’re responding with a counter-claim, asserting our First Amendment right to political free speech in parody based on the Supreme Court ruling of Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.

While the legal issues play out, it’s time to up the ante on Mr. Henley’s liberal goon tactics.  By popular request, I have penned the words to our new parody song, an expose of Senator Barbara Boxer’s new cap-and-trade energy bill that will operate as a hidden tax that will also enrich a few people.  (more…)