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Eminem awarded over $400,000 damages from New Zealand political party

Judge rules National Part breached copyright by using a song similar to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” in its campaign ads.

October 25, 2017

A New Zealand judge has ruled that the conservative National Party breached copyright on Eminem's "Lose Yourself" when they used a similar song in its campaign ads. Billboard reports that High Court Judge Helen Cull ordered the party to pay the Detroit rapper 600,000 New Zealand dollars ($415,000) plus interest in damages.

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The party used the Eminem-esque song during its successful 2014 election campaign. However, it was pulled from air after Eminem filed proceedings against them. Listen to their song below.

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"We think it’s a very strong judgment, and a cautionary tale for people who make or use sound-alikes around the world,” said Adam Simpson, a Sydney-based lawyer who represented Eminem publisher Eight Mile Style.

National Party President Peter Goodfellow said in statement that the party purchased the music from an Australia-based library that had bought it from a U.S. supplier. They are considering their next steps and have lodged a claim against the company that supplied them with the song.

Posted: October 25, 2017