I Wanna Choke Your Legal Department!

February 17, 2005 5:13 PM

The fine fellows of Beatallica, purveyors of songs combining Beatles and Metallica songs (as mentioned a while back, finally got the long feared takedown notice (PDF). For once, it wasn't Metallica threatening legal action over music on the Internet, but Sony.

\m/ Requiem in Pacem \m/
posted by Captain_Tenille (17 comments total)

those guys rock. aren't there protections for parody, or some such legal nonsense?
posted by blendor at 5:18 PM on February 17, 2005

That's precisely what we're going to say in our counterclaim, blendor.
posted by starkeffect at 5:24 PM on February 17, 2005

When listening to Beatallica is outlawed, only outlaws will listen to Beatallica.
posted by billysumday at 5:27 PM on February 17, 2005

Beatallica is badass
posted by matteo at 5:33 PM on February 17, 2005

Parody is protected speech.

Fuck you, Sony.
posted by basicchannel at 5:35 PM on February 17, 2005

This is equal parts tragedy and travesty. Beatallica is great, and shutting them down doesn't do anybody any good, least of all Sony.

Listening to Beatallica reminds you of how much you like the Beatles and Metallica. Sony punishing the band and its listeners is like a singer electrocuting herself on stage to drive up the power bill for a promoter she doesn't like.

I'm sure the band would win any court case on its merits. This is just an attempt to intimidate them or drive them off the web due to mounting legal fees.
posted by jeffmshaw at 5:38 PM on February 17, 2005

Nice post title.
posted by kenko at 5:48 PM on February 17, 2005

Another two tastes that taste great together: Hayseed Dixie do AC/DC (and other rock/metal) covers in a hillbilly stylee. They have to be heard to be believed - truly remarkable country musicians with a fondness for the heavier side. They're back in Nashville in March: I recommend you go see 'em.

All done in the best possible taste...
posted by dash_slot- at 5:55 PM on February 17, 2005

Yea, Eff Sony. And that guy really sounds like James Hettfield. (sp)
posted by snsranch at 6:00 PM on February 17, 2005

This pisses me off so much. It's like being strangled.

Waxy.og:
"I'm hosting their torrents, and I won't take them down even if Sony tells me to; they're perfectly legal cover songs"
posted by 31d1 at 6:13 PM on February 17, 2005

basicchannel: The real problem is that it doesn't matter whether free speech is protected or not. Someone may "be in the right," but unless they have the resources to prove it the point is moot. Look at all the people who simply chose to acquiesce to the RIAA simply because they can't underwrited the legal costs. A right doesn't do you much good if you can't avail yourself of if. Sorry. getting off my soapbox now.

And basicchannel, this isn't an attack towards you; merely a rant about the legal system (it's just a result of working in the legal industry).
posted by Quip at 6:20 PM on February 17, 2005

I think we can all agree that their self-titled album is much better than A Garage Dayz Nite. Also that this is bullshit. Long live Beatallica.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:20 PM on February 17, 2005

Oh boy. This is the second mention of a cease-and-desist relating to the mashup scene I've seen today (the other on GYBO). Should have seen it coming, what with the mashup-like opening to the Grammys last week. They know it exists, and just like they went after file sharing, it seems they're coming for the bootlegs.

It's one thing to crack down on the sharing of songs in their orirginal form -- but if they manage to send a chill through the mashup scene, they'll effectively have killed an entire art form with their legalese.
posted by VulcanMike at 8:22 PM on February 17, 2005

Dude-e-dude-e-dude I hope we don't get sued [6:45 in]
posted by psychotic_venom at 9:44 AM on February 18, 2005

if they manage to send a chill through the mashup scene, they'll effectively have killed an entire art form with their legalese.

or at least it'll give them time to figure out how to make tons of money from it.
posted by hellbient at 11:04 PM on February 18, 2005

Update:

Lars Ulrich contacted the band today to offer his support. He will be getting his people in the biz to contact Sony.

You can show your support in an online petition. It has no legal bearing, of course; it's just a public forum for people to express their sympathies.
posted by starkeffect at 3:49 PM on February 19, 2005

Second mashup-ish sighting on pop-TV in a week: Lil John singing with Good Charlotte on MTV's TRL Awards.
posted by VulcanMike at 8:10 AM on February 22, 2005