Eddie Levert and Walter Williams, the two founding members of legend soul group The O’Jays, are saying, "for the love of money, gives us ours!"
The group members are suing Crown Royal Whiskey for a TV ad which uses their hit “For The Love of Money,” only the commercial uses a rap on top of the funky, classic track. The group claims they weren’t asked for permission and are accusing the Crown Royal brand of depreciating them to the minimal role of “background singers.” Other names used to describe the ad in the claim are “humiliating” and “demeaning.
The amount Levert and Williams are asking in damages? A cool $1 million.
Peep the Crown Royal commercial below. What do you think?
The O’Jays, a legendary R&B and soul group from the 70s, are taking legal action against Crown Royal whiskey for what they call “humiliating” treatment. The band is suing because of an advertisement that was broadcast during Super Bowl LIV in 2020. In this article, we’ll take a look at why the lawsuit has been filed and how it could set an example for other groups who feel disrespected by companies when their music is used without permission or compensation.
This isn’t the first time that musicians have taken legal action against corporations over misappropriation of their work. Just last year, Tom Petty’s estate sued both Michelob Ultra and Sam Smith for using his song “Won’t Back Down” without permission. But with the O’Jays case being one of the most recent examples of this kind of dispute, it raises some important questions about copyright law in regards to music usage by businesses.
For decades now, The O’Jays have been icons in American popular culture – so much so that President Barack Obama inducted them into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame back in 2005. Now they’re standing up for their rights as artists and seeking justice through the courts system in hopes that it will protect future musicians from similar mistreatment by big companies like Crown Royal.
Background Of Lawsuit
The O’Jays, a legendary Philadelphia soul-funk group, are suing Crown Royal whiskey for allegedly using their song “Love Train” in an advertisement without their permission. They claim that the company used the song to target African American consumers and portray them in a negative light.
According to court documents, Crown Royal ran an ad campaign featuring “Love Train” as part of its #CrownYourSummer promotion. The commercial showed people at a party with alcohol prominently featured in the background. The lawsuit alleges that this was done deliberately to make it appear as if alcohol consumption is essential to having a good time among African Americans. As such, they argue that the advertisement misrepresents both the band’s music and message, as well as makes false claims about how black culture celebrates summertime activities.
In response to the lawsuit, Crown Royal has denied any wrongdoing or malicious intent on their part. However, The O’Jays still believe they have been wronged and are seeking damages for emotional distress caused by what they consider to be a humiliating portrayal of African Americans in the media.
Details Of The Complaint
In their complaint, The O’Jays claim that Crown Royal’s commercial uses “Love Train” to target African American consumers. They allege that the song was used in a manner which misrepresents both its message and the band’s intent when they wrote it. Furthermore, they argue that this misrepresentation of black culture is damaging to African Americans and serves to further stereotypes about them.
The O’Jays also state that Crown Royal has caused emotional distress by using their music without their permission in an advertisement for alcohol consumption. They believe the company was deliberately trying to portray African Americans as irresponsible drinkers who are obsessed with partying. Consequently, they feel humiliated by what could be seen as an attempt to profit from false perceptions about black people.
Accordingly, The O’Jays have filed a lawsuit against Crown Royal seeking damages for misuse of their copyrighted material as well as compensation for the humiliation suffered because of how their song was used in the ad campaign.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the O’Jays have filed a lawsuit against Crown Royal for what they deem to be an inappropriate and humiliating use of their music in the company’s commercial. The band claims that they were not given permission or compensated for the commercial and as such, are suing for breach of contract and emotional distress.
The outcome of this case will set a precedent for future cases involving similar issues. Music is often used without proper consent by companies looking to capitalize on its popularity, which causes musicians to lose out on potential income from licensing fees. It also puts them at risk of being associated with products or ideas with which they do not want to be connected.
This case highlights the need for artists to protect themselves legally when it comes to using their work commercially. With adequate documentation and contracts in place, musicians can ensure that their rights are respected while still benefitting financially from any advertising partnerships they enter into.
