Last year, then-Florida governor Charlie Crist got in David Byrne's bad books when he used the Talking Heads' "Road to Nowhere" in a political attack ad without permission. Understandably pissed off, Byrne had Warner Bros. put a cease and desist on the ad and took things a step further, seeking $1 million in damages. Now, over a year later, Crist and Byrne have settled out of court.
According to the Associated Press, both parties have confirmed that an out-of-court settlement has been reached. While specifics of the settlement weren't revealed, Byrne's legal team reported that there were separate payouts from Crist and the advertising agency who used the song. Crist also filmed an apology for YouTube, which can be viewed below.
"As I told [Byrne], I was sorry it ever happened at all," Crist said in a statement. "He couldn't have been more of a gentleman about it."
Byrne's statement said, "It turns out I am one of the few artists who has the bucks and (guts) to challenge such usage. I'm feeling very manly after my trip to Tampa! Other artists may actually have the anger but not want to take the time and risk the legal bills. I am lucky that I can do that. Anyway, my hope is that by standing up to this practice maybe it can be made to be a less common option, or better yet an option that is never taken in the future."
Crist ultimately lost the run for Florida governor to Marco Rubio, who had also found himself in legal hot water in the same campaign for using the Steve Miller Band's "Take the Money and Run" without permission, although he was never sued.
According to the Associated Press, both parties have confirmed that an out-of-court settlement has been reached. While specifics of the settlement weren't revealed, Byrne's legal team reported that there were separate payouts from Crist and the advertising agency who used the song. Crist also filmed an apology for YouTube, which can be viewed below.
"As I told [Byrne], I was sorry it ever happened at all," Crist said in a statement. "He couldn't have been more of a gentleman about it."
Byrne's statement said, "It turns out I am one of the few artists who has the bucks and (guts) to challenge such usage. I'm feeling very manly after my trip to Tampa! Other artists may actually have the anger but not want to take the time and risk the legal bills. I am lucky that I can do that. Anyway, my hope is that by standing up to this practice maybe it can be made to be a less common option, or better yet an option that is never taken in the future."
Crist ultimately lost the run for Florida governor to Marco Rubio, who had also found himself in legal hot water in the same campaign for using the Steve Miller Band's "Take the Money and Run" without permission, although he was never sued.
