Men at Work sued by Larrikin Music

[Bulldog Force]

After all this trouble they've caused Men at Work... it seems appropriate... for me.

 

[El Diablo]

wtf took them so long ? why didnt they say anything in 1983 when it was released

they should not get anything because they left it so long

they probably won't get too much http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/04/down.under.kookaburra/?hpt=T2

Larrikin is seeking 40 to 60 percent of the royalties earned by "Down Under" in Australia during the last six years, the time limit imposed by Australian law.

"Even if we win, they will still have had a free run for some 20-odd years," Larrikin's lawyer Adam Simpson told CNN.

 

[Bulldog Force]

One Australian record artist suing another decades apart... that is deadset UNAUSTRALIAN.

 

[aussie_q_factor]

I suspect the original writer didn't give a sh*t, and the lawyers and other assorted money grabbing scum at Larrikin Music realised they could make a quick buck.

I am actually pretty p#ssed with this! FFS, it has been 30 years!!

Soory, but you snooze, you loose....

 

[hrundi99]

After all this trouble they've caused Men at Work... it seems appropriate... for me.

Well clearly they deliberately brought it up on the show to prompt a court case... :sarcasm:

 

[hrundi99]

Not really, I mean, it might in terms of length be a small part of the song, but in terms of importance of it to the actual thing its a pretty significant part of it.

That would be pretty subjective though, wouldn't it?

 

[Timmah]

One Australian record artist suing another decades apart... that is deadset UNAUSTRALIAN.

It's actually an Australian music company, not artist, that sued Men At Work tbh. Larrikin music aren't the original artist, it was some scout person or something in the 30's.

 

[Flapper]

Not to mention the flautist played the offending riff while sitting in an old gum tree. They knew what they were doing.

 

[Timmah]

Even so, to wait 30 years to sue?

 

[Flapper]

The copyright has changed hands in that time, the Girl Guides used to hold copyright. That has one thing to do with it. Who knows why they waited that long. But if it makes you feel any better, the fact that it didn't happen in 1981 benefits Men At Work, because Business As Usual, and "Down Under" sold millions upon millions of records.

 

[Non Terminator]

Actually Tim, you should have told BF to go on this occasion.
Spicks and Specks asked a question "What song is featured in Down Under", with the answer "Kookaburra".
Larrakin got onto it and began their case.

Although calling them merkins is indeed silly, it was never intended to harm, and the hosts are annoyed about the situation.

 

[fish eel]

That would be pretty subjective though, wouldn't it?

yeah, but music is subjective.

even in this case, both sides had experts arguing yes it was a rip and no it wasnt.