@autob0n: You have missed the point entirely.

@jsf49: @pikachumariachi: @jsf49:

You clearly misconstrue Obama's stance on video games. The subject of Obama and video games has been discussed here many times. And the misunderstandings of people such as yourself have been corrected as many times.

Just as it has been pointed out before, and hopefully attention will actually be paid, he isn't against video games. He's against using them, as well as television, etc., as baby sitters and Foster parents. How many times must this be pointed out before headline-readers begin to understand it?

justhesh

This Chistopher Lennertz guy reeks of self-importance.

wrAnglEr101

@Weirdwolf: Damn dictatorships. We shall start an uprising and demand Summer Glau for every working man or her equivalent which is to be decided by the respective unions!

Erwin

stupid topic for a video game bloh that is only going to lead to flaming and insults. This has nothing to do with games.

target_render

@atomicn: "Yay for Barack Obama. No for McDead. (seriously who wants a president that is 100 years old has every illness known to mankind dirty old white man with disgusting white hair).."

You know, I was sort of leaning toward McCain, but thanks to your articulate, reasoned, and persuasive argument, I think I'm going to join your camp and support Mr. Obama. Thanks for setting me straight, atomicn, you political genius!

AtomicPlayboy

Wow... this is bad...

Not Limbo of the Lost bad, but definitely bad...

DaveKap

@d3ath_fly: What stance is that? As John Edwards pointed out, Obama as a one-term junior senator has tried to avoid taking a stance on a lot of things, casting "present" rather than a "yea" or "nay" vote. Obama is a cult of personality. People are incited into following him, but no one actually knows his track record or what he's really about, aside from being against the Iraq War.

jsf49

Now all there's left is for Obama to campaign using the MGS2 theme. It's like stealing from a thief XD

J/k, by the way

Zerbrechen

@EnigmaNemesis:

I agree, and as your new dictator I will automatically ban any political party apart from my own,(after insisting that I require Summer Glau as my bikini bound "assistant"). A crackdown on those that disagree with the system!
After all Mao,Stalin,Hitler,Mugabe,Hussein and Pol Pot are all great examples of how a one party state should work. They span the political spectrum as well!
A one party system or even a two party system where the parties share the same views will never work, it does all sorts of silly things like get you into needless wars and restricts personal freedoms.
You need an opposition that is strong and in a position where it can make a difference. The problem in the U.K. is not that we have a socialist government,(we don't by the way,) but that the Tory party much as I may loathe them are so weak that any opposition to the outrageous policies that Blair and Brown have instigated could be road over roughshod or that they are so politically close in the spectrum that they share the same beliefs.
All part of those checks and balances I hear you are so fond of over the pond.

Weirdwolf

@weasl:
This is awesome.

ChemicalWedding

Mark my words.

McCain is a Vietnamese sleeper cell.

Kanik

@Bluetribal: I thought I smelled insanity in here, thanks for clearing it up.

Oh wait, I suspect I've just now identified myself as a member of the Military-Industrial Complex by speaking out against your obvious truths.

*rolleyes*

aphex242

@jsf49: Obama actually takes a reasonable stand on games, unlike crazy people (e.g. Hillary) who's just stupid and wants to treat them like pornography.

d3ath_fly

@orionzdrm:

He's a douche, but you're still going to vote for him? Glad to know you take the issues seriously.

Strangelove

@atomicn: That seems like every American President for the last 30 years.

The Magnificen7

Trace teh moneyz, all leads to the same group of elites, mostly consisting of banker families, the same people who take your taxes and make and break your economy, so please stop acting like it actually matters who becomes president of the USA, democracy is an illusion.

Bluetribal

@warf0x0r:

Winner!

EnigmaNemesis

I think Obama should use the theme song from Halo...that would so pwn McCain in the ass.

Fermbiz

Isn't McCain one of those anti-videogame presidents? If so, that's pretty hypocritical of him to use the music.

mariospants

Who ever gets elected has to change "Hail to the Chief" to the "Final Fantasy Victory Fanfair"...

And swing around a huge sword.

warf0x0r

You had to bring up politics didn't you Kotaku. Don't get me wrong, it's a topic I love, in small controlled settings between close friends. In these sorts of settings all it does is serve as an excuse for every Tom Dick and Winry who has a bone to pick on the subject.

As for this, er, incident.

I would describe it as a non starter. The McCain camp had the legal right to use the music, and were not obligated in any way shape or form to track down the original composer and ask about his feelings on the matter.

Music is art, but it's also a product. Like any product it's not always going to be used the way the originator would like it to be used. This is fine, this is normal.

Poliiticians and news shows use bits and pieces of music from, "misc," sources all the time without asking the artists whether or not they agree with them, I don't see why John McCain should be held to a different standard.

oh, and just to give people some context.

I'm officially a Republican but very Libertarian leaning. I'm a conservationist but don't believe the government should be strong arming everybody + dog to conserve against their will. I'm not a fan of war but don't want to withdraw from Iraq out of fear that the country might descend into a bloody civil war as a consequence. Finally, I am a capitalist and I'm a firm believer that most problems can be solved by people desperately trying to make money.

There, now that you know what sort of person I am, please feel free to pick apart my statements piece by piece.

WolvenOne

Well he used under 30 seconds so he can not get sued I just wonder who is working at his office to think to use this song.

faizboy

I get his point and, hell, I agree with him, but aside from getting the occaisional publicity from comments like this, Lennertz better not expect anything to be done about this. He knew the conditions he was agreeing to when he decided to compose the music.

Blah8

@pikachumariachi: From his campaign rhetoric, it sounds to me he'd be more likely to sign one of those anti-videogame bills than not. Hillary too, considering she drafted one of those, I believe.

jsf49

I could care less. Neither candidate represents my beliefs for the future of this country.

dannyzuko

@Swift_: Yeah, and that's great. Now if only others would do this. It'd not only shut a huge amount of people up, but it'd make the election far more fair.

ShaggE

"I want to keep America safe from war...by staying the course for the next four to eight years. God bless America."

Change 08

Scyen

So McCain is a liar and a thief...good to know.

hk458

The composer said he does not have control of ownership of this piece and that he never authorized it's use in the ad. Correct me if I am wrong, but if he does not have control of ownership, then doesn't that mean that it doesn't matter whether he approves or not?

Amazon_Chris

Meh. Just more evidence that McCain lives in a make believe world. Next, we'll see him campaigning to limit the height at which plumbers are allowed to jump 'cause, you know, jumping plumbers could kill all of our Bullet B-- uhm, cruise missiles.

tabion20

Regardless of the issue at stake, that's a freakin' brilliantly worded response from the composer. Well done to him.

Jonman

I KNEW that music was familiar!

Amazon_Chris

@Shiryu: A new low... how so? I'm sure you understand this but it's not McCain that went out and said, "holy shit this music from MoH rocks! Let's use it in my campaign commercial!" but rather some PR committee/advertising firm hired by the PR committee that chose the music. They went to EA (or whomever the rightful owners of the music are at this moment), got permission and went with it. I highly doubt McCain's side even knew the composer was pro-Obama, and IMHO if there's anyone to 'pin the blame' for it would be the people owning the music that didn't bother to call Mr. Composer.

And even then, why blame them? This is a professional piece of work by Lennertz, for which he got paid for doing -- and while you may think otherwise, business is business and your personal/political opinion need not intervene. Does he need to be asked/informed that his work was going to be used for a 4th of July car sale spectacular in a local TV commercial? If not, how serious does it need to be before he should be told and why? I'm sure everyone's encountered bitter moments like this through work to some degree, and while his probably marks a fairly high point as long as it's in-line with the contracts it's all fair game.

muu

@jsf49: Don't be silly! Obama only disses on videogames because as a politic it's good for him. He's obviously really ignorant of the subject and completely indiferent anyways.

pikachumariachi

The McCain campaign also uses ABBA's music on their campaign website, complete with an old ABBA video. Somehow, based on their previous comments and interviews, I don't think that they are big John McCain fans either.

bornonce

Good choice of music.

DigitalHero

Meh if he sold the rights i dont care. Im voting for the king polar bear anyways. Politicians blow hard

smuckersisgood

@ShaggE: Yeah, my point my point was vote for who you agree with. ShaggE's reply was just better.

Erwin

@ShaggE: Is that not what Lennertz is doing here? He's stating that despite his admiration for McCain in many regards, he does not agree with his actions. He doesn't attribute them to his party, and only mentions it to preface his surprise.

Swift_

@Elemence: No. Chances are, he's never even heard of Medal of Honor (the game) until now. One of the young interns at the ad agency that produces for McCain probably got assigned the job of finding appropriate music for this spot, and said hey, MoH is pretty patriotic, let's use their music. The higher ups have no idea what MoH is, so when they came to them with this track, they said awesome, good stuff, and ran with it.

And viola, there you go, no conspiracy, just someone being bad at their job and not practicing due diligence in researching license terms.

HfAsianInvasion

@autob0n:
Hypocritical?

Do you even know the meaning of the word, because you certaintly aren't using it correctly.

Who says if Obama was in the same situation (of using a song a composer who opposes him created) that we would all ignore and root for him?

This is what I hate about what politics do to people, as an argument everyone always wants to toss it at the "other side" and claim a double standard.

Mikazukinoyaiba

@orionzdrm: I totally agree (about the douche thing AND the POW's get to steal stuff thing). If John McCain came to my house and stole my bike, all I would do is salute.

etchasketchist

@ShaggE: Well, Rudy used The Clash's Rudie Can't Fail. I would personally vote for McCain using Year of tha Boomerang (har har).
@EnigmaNemesis: Yes, they're all similar, but some may be motivated by religious beliefs. And they certainly have clear stances on games.

Erwin

@EnigmaNemesis: Agreed again. Here's an idea: vote for who you agree with, not who has an elephant or donkey logo. Half of the people who call themselves "democrats" or "republicans" and sit there bashing the shit out of the other side don't even know what the words MEAN.

It's ridiculous to try to define a country of people and say "You're either this, or that". It doesn't take a degree in psychology to know that there's more than two types of personality.

ShaggE

Pretty stupid.

If he doesn't own the rights to the music, how is McCain's use of it disgrace the original content creator?

He composed the piece while working for EA, who has been rebuked several times for it's "sweatshop" mentality towards game development. Is it safe to conclude that because EA was allowed to use this piece, the original content creator is okay with EA's labor practices?

balls187 upside yo head

Obama thinks videogames are the devil's helpers. Why would a game music composer bitch about a politician who's apparently embracing videogames instead of using them as a scapegoat for society's problems? The McCain people obviously know where that music comes from.

jsf49

@orionzdrm: I completely agree with you. McCain's not my cup of political tea, but that's one tough sonofa bitch right there.
This is completely off topic, but:
ELI PORTER FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!

Alexander-The-Great

VietNEM?

Aethyr

Nevermind the music, what a creepy ad.

Laxcat

If the song is available for licensing, the artist is just going to have to deal with it.

notoriousEIC

@autob0n: How is that hypocritical, when it's only mere assumption?

Nex Antonius

This is pretty much SOP in politics. Every candidate uses music either in commercials or at whistle stops. The fact that an artist doesn't like a particular candidate comes up at least a couple of times in every presidential election. No one really cares. The rights owners will get their royalties (maybe, politics may be exempt), and very few members of the public will ever know of the fakeroversy.

mechanabeshin

@kingmanic: I agree with this. I'm not affiliated and I rarely go democrat or republican, but this is clearly a business thing, not political. He obtained the rights to use the music and so it was used. Does the guy who made his suit agree with his policy on foreign relations or should McCain change into something a little less liberal?

For context, I'm voting Obama without question.

chuffhoncho

@weasl: Now all I can picture is a campaign ad in the same vein as the Mr. T and Shatner WoW ads.

Figment

...They could have used a better game soundtrack.

My personal favorite is Ninja Gaiden 2's... The NES one.

How awesome would that have been? McCain talking over the awesome first stage song... I still wouldn't vote for him, though.

trelantana

Wow that is interesting...I wonder where he came up with the whole idea of damn I need this song in my next campaign ad. Was he playing CoD: EA when it happened? =P

Elemence

I cant wait till the Dems get elected ... I encourage it ... and will sit back and watch how they are ripped to shreds too, dont deliver on their BS promises, and piss of the nation just as much.

When are people to realize, that either side is the same shit smeared in different colors?

Any time you (and especially the last 10 years), have two separate parties, even ones within their same party, rip each other apart, drag through the mud, and totally shit down their necks, and be dividing on anything and everything, that it isnt good for a nation.

United we stand, divided we fall. And there has been more divided than anything over the last quarter century. Especially amongst its leaders.

EnigmaNemesis

If you don't own the publishing rights to music, you simply have no say in how or when it can be used. In this case, I'm assuming that EA (publisher of all things MOA) would actually own the rights to the music and if Mr. Lennartz would bring that up to EA's legal department, they might be able to command a cease and desist on the ad being aired. This is, of course, only if the music is being used sans permission.

CharlesBronsonPinchot

IM still going to vote forf him.

orionzdrm

And if Obama did this everyone would think he was cool for doing so. Hypocrite much?

Pathetic how lame our country is

autob0n

Wasn't there something a while ago with the guy who did 'devil went down to georgia' getting upset that it was in rock band or something?

And wasn't it ridiculous *then*?

deathbunny

@EnigmaNemesis: Heh, yeah. I'm still waiting for some clueless politician to accidentally use a RAtM song in an ad campaign... :p

ShaggE

better use of the same music here:

+ Watch video

push eject

First I associate the "c***" story with him, and now Medal of Honor. What a drop.
(and I would've chosen Market Garden from Frontline myself)

Erwin

Although I think McCain is the inferior candidate, I think it's a bit unreasonable to track down the composer of a piece and ask permission when you've bought the rights to use it from who ever controls the rights. The composer sold the rights or composed it as per a work for hire contract and thus ceases to have a say.

I don't think McCain did anything wrong here despite being so wrong on so many of the current political issues. A

kingmanic

*floods of anti-conservative remarks*

But in all honesty, that seems somewhat twisted and the composer nailed it when saying, "...promote products and agendas of which they disagree"

This is defintely ironic, use an inspirational war theme, talk about the plague and hate for war...

When the country knows that McCain is defintely Pro-war, and has commented several times about invading Iran if he won.

Way to go, McSAME.

Kirablip

@weasl: Now I have this mental image of the Obama Campaign using Machinima to make it seem like Jaina Proudmoore is endorsing him.

....that'd be awesome

Lyrai

for one who claims to hate war so much, i find it odd how he wants to stay in iraq for so long.

oh and this must not have been a very popular MOH track as i dont recognize it

ArmyofJuan

@Shiryu: Ther ewas an L going somewhere around "sady", but it was taxed and te governement took it away... like the song from Medal of Honor.

Shiryu

Yay for Barack Obama. No for McDead. (seriously who wants a president that is 100 years old has every illness known to mankind dirty old white man with disgusting white hair)..

atomicn

Assume this is covered under fair use?

[en.wikipedia.org]

dutchct

@EnigmaNemesis: I hear you and (sady) agree...

Shiryu

i need a clarification about what exactly happened. the composer claims that it was just a mix-up over rights and that nothing illegal happened, but then complains that the McCain campaign "ignored the most basic values and tenents of copyright and intellectual property"...? for the record, Obama FTW

Nihon no Purin

@Shiryu:

Nothing new, Dems were getting the same hate from musicians using their music in their campaigns.

You would think, the ones in charge of accepting these piracy laws, would be on top of such things to prevent this from happening.

Why I hate the hypocritical fucking politics.

POLI = Many!

TICS = Blood sucking parasites!

EnigmaNemesis

Im a Republican and think that John McCain is a douche but if anyone can use this music its him. Its not like he wasnt a POW for 5 years and had many chances to leave but refused. Its not like he can lift his arms over his head anymore because they ripped his arms from the sockets many many many times.

orionzdrm

Obama needs to fire back by using a track from World of Warcraft.

weasl

(bracing for flood of anti-conservative remarks)

Hoboman725

mcCAN haz ur music

yashichi8bit

Ok... thats just WRONG and a new level of LOW in politics... Id would not liek to have my work used like this...

Shiryu

The problem with politics is that we, in America, treat it like a freakin' sporting event. I love football and the Steelers, no matter how good or bad they play will always be the best team ever and that's OK, because at the end of the day sports don't matter in everyone's day to day existence. They're a nice distraction and entertaining, when they aren't cheating.

Unfortunately, politics does matter to everyone's day to day existence. The decisions made by these "elites" decides how much money you'll have at the end of the week, whether someone will be watching you when you take a piss, or could send you to some far away place to die. But, they don't care about you. All they care about is getting and keeping their positions. They will do and say whatever works best to get you to believe them, so they can get and keep their jobs.

The funny thing is that everyone puts all of their hopes and dreams into one person, the President. You must understand, he is not the power. The people that own the real power in government are the Legislative branch (The Congress: Seante and House of Representatives). They make the real decisions in regards to the direction of the country; of course, the President can veto any bills they introduce, but the Congress can override a Presidential veto with enough votes. We never hear how wrong they've steered the country because it is easier to direct your anger at one person, the President, then to the 535 members of the Congress.

What we need to do, as a people, is to stop cutting along stupid party lines and vote people into office that have the best interest of our country at heart and will not bow to outside "big influence" pressures. But, good luck with that, everyone seems to be happy to keep placing the same morons right back into office.

I think our entire political system has been thoroughly corrupted and the only way it will ever recover is to have a "revolution" in the sense of all people coming together and kicking every politician's ass out of office and put regular people in their places. Or, I could settle for Congressional term limits. Whatever.

kagai

McCain says he hates war, but he's not looking for an end to it, and he was a POW for Vietnam, but he's using WWII music in his commercials, from a video game, when he doesn't even know how to use computers?

WTF?

AZRoboto

I've never understood these political allegiances over an actual candidate. You'd rather vote for a guy that is going to plunge the country further into dept and pursue more aggressive foreign gestures at the cost of American lives because of what? Because "those damn liberals will ruin the country".

Fuck, you're in a recession, the Iraq war is a totally clusterfuck, your servicemen and women are dying in a civil war and getting nowhere. Yet still you'd rather vote in more of the same (or worse) rather than say "what the hell, give the other guy a chance". Honestly Obama could smoke crack and take LSD every day of his Presidency and not be as big a laughing stock as Bush is or McCain will be.

Just ask yourself how does being a POW qualify you to be president? It doesn't it's a manipulation, a characterisation but not in the least a qualification. This commercial and the inspirational music (see what I did there) is nothing more than veiled misdirection and people lap it up because of some foolish affiliation to a political ideal that doesn't exist.

Jelster

oh who cares, Obama sucks ass just like McCain does. As long as a Democrat or a Republican maintains the whitehouse and these TWO corrupt parties maintain congress, nothing is ever going to change.

jasongw

@atomicn: The Presidential election isn't a beauty contest you ignorant fuck.

wtf007

@DARTH_TIGRIS: Much better than this:

+ Watch video

Erwin

That sucks for Lennertz. Even if it's legally all okay, and it's a bit much for a political campaign to go to the trouble of a-okaying with the composer, it must be pretty frustrating to see your work helping a candidate you don't support. He's got every right to be annoyed, but alas, that's what happens when you sign away your rights. I guess he never even considered the possibility of such use.

To make things right, he should go compose a brand new inspiring theme for Obama's campaign. Then the balance will be restored!

ParanoidIndividual

@EnigmaNemesis: Nice.

Personally, I dont like either of the candidates. Obama, is just there as a pretty face to bring in minority votes. All talk, no walk. Then, there's also the details about his upbringing that just strikes me wrong. McCain, while I respect the fact that he served our country in Vietnam, isn't the right choice as president. I have a policy not to vote for people who flip-flop. Say what you want about Bush, but at least he stands for something.

KM91

Let's be kool aid drinkers and support Obama's non-change. Great to see that so many people support Obama blindly. This is a minimal reason to be angry with McCain. The composer needs to understand how free market works. That's why he's for the Marx-Obama ticket. Lets take away more money from those that earn it.

MadExponent

In other news, I've never heard this track before. Its quite beautiful. Give it a listen.

+ Watch video

DARTH_TIGRIS

Obama? Schama!
McCain FTW! :)

HaydenTenno

"flagrantly ignored the most basic values and tenents of copyright and intellectual property"

The way he words it make it sound like it's illegal. You're supposed to be a pro, Chris. Act like one! If you sign away the ownership of your music, that's your problem. The only person ignoring the basic tenets of copyright and intellectual property here is you, because you seem to think that you can keep something you've after you've given it to someone else. Being an artiste does not exempt you from the rules of logic.

Toasticus

"I am dismayed that my music has been used to promote his platform and even more disappointed that a candidate who claims to be the best voice for American entrepreneurs and business owners in this troubled economy so flagrantly ignored the most basic values and tenents of copyright and intellectual property..."

Ouch. Nice burn there.

bangbangblah

@Coors Light is God:

By your reasoning the only person who could be elected president is an economist.
This is why the president is surrounded with experts in the field, to advise him, and why a good president realises that he may not have the experience he believes and actually listens to his advisors.
The methods of warfare have altered immeasurably since the late 60's/early 70's. The underestimation of the changing face of the battlefield is one of the reasons we are in this mess to start with.

Weirdwolf

@Kuroomu:
Relax, no one is going to use your Linkin Park remixes for Dragonball Z clips without you knowing. Or at all.

Spacehog85

@Balius:

He's an Obama supporter, don't you think that makes a huge difference on his perception of this issue? If it was for an Obama ad, do you really believe he would be coming down so hard on his music being used without his knowledge? I highly doubt it. In fact, he'd probably say he was proud to have it used since he's in full support of that candidate. The composer has no rights to the song, and McCains party did nothing wrong here, yet he's complaining about copyrights and intellectual property violations. That has nothing to do with HOW his work is being used, but WHO is using it. Think about it.

LittleBigPlaneteer

@jsf49:

I hope you were kidding. Obama is the only presidential who has a reasonable stance on videogames. (Basically parents should be parents and not blame games for their children mistakes or failures in life.)

As far as McCain goes, I don't like the guy but I could care less about what music he uses for his campaign. He's served this country valiantly and should be allowed to use it, if he wants. Nobody should demonize him for that. There are pleny of real issues to disagree with McCain on.

Buttah

If the composer cared so much about his work, it would not have left his side. His argument against McCain would not hold up in any court.

Heromachine

@Mit: It's not a story because it's illegal, it's a story because the readers of this site may care what a famed video game composer thinks about how his work is being used, regardless of the specifics.

Balius

@Kuroomu:

Once you sell the music, you don't control the means. You need to learn that now, before you become like this idiot here. He doesn't own anything here yet bitched that Mcain violated copyrights? Yeah, completely wrong.

LittleBigPlaneteer

It would only be cool if McCain knew it was actually FROM a videogame.

On Obama and his presidency, you mean the highest military office in the nation and somebody that hasn't even served his country can get elected! I think above all things, the president is going to be faced with a messed up war and it doesn't matter whether Obama wants to take the diplomatic way out or not, because the war is going on right now and somebody that atleast knows what war is like is necessary.

And I like to think of the war in iraq like this: we are in a deeply dug shit hole, the democrats are trying to climb a hopeless way up and the republicans will just level all the ground around the shit hole, thus making everybody on the same level.

Coors Light is God

Man this composer has such a shitty resume. He scored Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Meet the Spartans. How sad.

LittleBigPlaneteer

As a composer myself, and a gamer, this REALLY irks me. I really hope none of my music is used beyond what I mean for it.

Kuroomu

"I do not control the ownership of this piece"

then he argues about McCain not supporting entrepreneurs...

HE BOUGHT YOUR SONG. The company bought it from you, sold the right to McCain. If you dont want it used, dont sell it.

Same as Moby selling all his songs to commercials, then calling for anti-consumerism. HAHAHAHA

Artists drive me crazy sometimes

Heisindc

@justhesh: Lol, I haven't insulted you at all, but now you're attacking me personally. Good points. Not. Pathetic. There can't be any meaningful political discussion because you don't really know your candidate. This is what it devolves to.

jsf49

@Catalyst: If that's the case, he needs to be angry at EA or whoever sold the rights to the song, not McCain ¬_¬ . I'm sure the McCain campaign had no idea what the political preference of the composer of the song they were buying was, and I'm sure they didn't care either. I'm pretty sure no one would care who was put into that situation.

Mit

I dont get the big deal. Sure he made it, but to complain to the extent of even writing a letter...lol. A game that came out like 4 years ago and he complains this much... Lawl. The dude is *just* a bit pathetic. Why would he aim the letter at McCain, i doubt he even picked the music. If i were the composer, i would feel proud at the usage if my song in a presidential compaign ad, especially one dealing with the emotional topic of war.

Pbombas

@jsf49: Because people must be INCITED to vote for the person whom they think is best suited for the presidency. They are certainly not capable of making up their own minds. Voters are simply lemmings. They see a crowd of people walking in one direction and suddenly find themselves following them, never knowing or caring why.

Your generalization is an insult to all voters. It made Clinton look foolish when she did it, and it doesn't make you look any less foolish than she.

justhesh

When you quote something and then remove text from the original quote, you need to make it clear that you edited the quote, not the author. Here is the rest of the quote that was removed.

" I am dismayed that my music has been used to promote his platform and even more disappointed that a candidate who claims to be the best voice for American entrepreneurs and business owners in this troubled economy so flagrantly ignored the most basic values and tenents of copyright and intellectual property. What, I ask, does such an action or oversight say about Mr. McCain's regard for the intrinsic value of American products, services, or creations? Where does the line get drawn? Is it reasonable to use my music to sell tobacco, alcohol, or pornographic materials? Is it reasonable to use it to promote a religion in which I do not believe? Is it legal?...yes, perhaps, is it ethical?...I don't believe so. Is it American?...definitely not by my standards."

So, yes, he says that it may be legal, but he is making an argument for a copyright creator's ability to control any use of it which he believes may impair its artistic integrity. This is a fairly common copyright claim in Europe, but does not really exist in the United States.

Catalyst

I'm sorry, but this entire story being posted is dumb. Over half the people commenting haven't even read the article to know that this composer doesn't have any rights to the song, and that no one needed his authorization to use his music. He said nothing illegal happened, and therefore the McCain campaign did nothing wrong.

This should read "Composer upset because his music is rightfully being used to support opposing political party." And in that case, his selfishness shouldn't even be worthy of a post here.

Mit

This rant is pretty idiotic imo. I seriously doubt it was Mccain that physically did the editing of the ad and picked the piece of music. He most likely did the speech and then after his party did the editing he watched and aproved it, nothing more.

JBaird06

Funny to see him try to pander to the anti-war crowd.

Fryfat

@LittleBigPlaneteer:

Well my first thought was,
"Well obviously he couldn't get the theme to the deerhunter"

Weirdwolf

@justhesh: You're just regurgitating to me the rationalizions of Obama supporters who play videogames. Where are the actual Obama quotes that say all of that? If it's not coming straight from the horse's mouth, the stances of anybody can be molded by their supporters to fit all sorts of demographics. Some Obama supporters are very likely using those same Obama quotes about videogames to tell anti-videogame people (e.g., the people Hillary was pandering to when she wrote her bill) that Obama is indeed against videogames.

jsf49

I wonder how much he is going to milk the whole POW thing. I must have heard him say it a million fucking times already in the past few years

LittleBigPlaneteer

@Erwin:

Ha! You couldn't hit a PS3 at this dist...

Weirdwolf

@AtomicPlayboy: Well here is a reasoned argument: McCain is backed by the same power brokers that bush is. Bush has been the single most ineffective president in recent memory and has significantly diminished the economy, international prestige, and liberty of America.

Although we can't be sure, the odds are high that McCain will be a continuation of the same policy trends Bush has enacted. Thus It is in the material interest of Americans not to elect McCain.

The Man himself isn't a terrible man. He did do some very admirable things int he past (like rotting in a POW camp instead of being released early as a show of solidarity for other POW's) but his close association with the Bush regime cannot be a good thing.

kingmanic

@muu: It's a new low because hell if I stand by as one of my biggest passion and, as I perceive them, work of art that are videogames (even if only part of it, wich for me is one of the the most important, audio) is used by politics to pass on their message.

I really don't want to give my opinion on the man, since im not a citizen of the U.S.A. and everyone already has made some valid points on the subject, the new low for me is that a piece of videogaming has made its way to politics and its being used for something that was surely NOT intended. I like to make music from time to time as a hobby, and if that was my piece, id be hell bent on making sure that would never EVER happen.

Shiryu

@Erwin: Dear God that was sh!t.

First time I have ever used the (- Stop video) link.

yashichi8bit

@Heromachine: Good thing he's not taking it to court then, eh? He clearly states that he does NOT have control here. You can say "it shouldn't have left his side", but it probably had to if he wanted to put gas in his tank and food on his table.

Mister Adequate

@Weirdwolf:

Actually a lot going on as of late, and drive bye posting, thanks.

You have your beliefs, and I have mine. It is about perspective my friend. And I personally have a different one on this "voting system".

EnigmaNemesis

The last thing we need in the US is a socialist...

McCain FTW.

JackMehoffer

Well, look - at least he doesn't slather on the makeup like a c**t

+ Watch video

helava

@EnigmaNemesis:

"Politics is non-contact warfare"

Ah, nothing like a little hyperbole to put an arguement into perspective,(although of course I still would rather like my bikini clad Summer Glau kthx!).
The most obvious difference from say the situation in the U.S. and Zimbabwe is that you can still protest, get out and vote and alter the system. They are your representatives,make your self heard.
Bitching and moaning about how it's never going to change does nothing. You voted the party in that has lead you into a senseless war, you can vote them out again.
As an aside, are you feeling OK? I've noticed that your grammar and typing don't seem to be up to there normal standards recently.

Weirdwolf

@kagai:

Nice post. Completely agree. I think we're about to see your theory proven in reverse as well. After 8 years of Bush as the "source of all evil", we're starting to see Obama as "the second coming, and giver of candy".

I just have no idea what will happen when America realizes that Obama (or any candidate) isn't the solution to world hunger and the common cold.

Politics are simple.
Governance is hard.

Snokie

"While I do not control the ownership of this piece,"

End of story.

lonkley

In the commercial, senator McCain stated, "I hate war, and I know how horrible its costs are." Yet he stated quite clearly on the Today Show that bringing home the troops "isn't that important." He also mentioned previously that he would make the War in Iraq "last for 100 years." Although I'm being partisan and completely off topic right now, I thought I should point it out.

However, I feel that it isn't the composer's say in this issue whether or not the music should be used, considering he doesn't have ownership of it in the first place. I also think this is questionable considering the fact that he backs Obama at the end of his statement. However, I do think that EA/the current holder of the rights to the song should be respectful of his wishes and not use the music.

@LittleBigPlaneteer: The composer isn't bitching about McCain violating copyrights at all. He clearly states, "While I DO NOT control the ownership of this piece..." I think he is just arguing on a basis of principle.

Captain_Goober

@Snokie:

Correct!

EnigmaNemesis

so flagrantly ignored the most basic values and tenents of copyright and intellectual property...

"Copyright" and "Intellectual Property" are Legal terms. If he didn't do anything Illegal, then get off his back and stop crying foul.

Maybe the composer never thought that music would be used to support a candidate he disagrees with, but If he cared so much, he should have put it in the contract.

He sold his music (and the right to complain) for COLD HARD CASH. Hard to claim the moral high ground after that.

Snokie

@AZRoboto:

Because 60s-70s Vietnam music fucking rocks and he'd not be able to tug at those patriotic heart strings for all the air guitar going on. This is a political message accuracy and fact has no damn part of it. :)

Jelster

I agree with others if he did care so much about his music he would not have sold the rights to the music away when he sold it. Fact is he sold the music along with the rights a long time ago and he has no right to complain about it use.

taftsearlobe33

@Weirdwolf:

Funny, because I fail to see any different with the current system (supposed part a and b), as far as wars, and starving people, imploding economy, etc etc etc.

While truthfully condescending your statement was, I do agree with it, I am sure you knew I wasn't referring to dictatorship ... though one could argue that democracy is all a mask for it.

Since some say it is an excuse to send young men and women to wars, by the orders of old men who cant let go of grudges (and not just a Bush reference, but all people in control of military might over the centuries).

EnigmaNemesis

Sorry, but that's just silly. I respect the man's opinion and by all means I would be just as disappointed if I were him, but since he doesn't own the rights to the music no one has any reason to ask for his permission. Sure it would have been courteous to have asked but you can't really expect that to happen with every situation when it's not legally necessary.

Absent Blue

@jsf49: Maybe if you would actually READ the articles in which he is quoted, you could fully understand the man instead of construing his stance from a headline.

"I know how hard it will be to alleviate poverty that has built up over centuries, how hard it will be to fix schools, because changing our schools will require not just money, but a change in attitudes.

We're going to have to parent better, and turn off the television set, and put the video games away, and instill a sense of excellence in our children, and that's going to take some time."

Nowhere does he say that video games are "the devil". Nowhere does he even hint at wanting to legislate against them. I don't know what your level of reading comprehension is, but clearly the only thing he is saying is that parents should be the parents instead of TV and video games, and children shouldn't spend so much time with said entertainment sources.

He's right. And though he doesn't mention it, the same case could be made against high adolescent obesity. It all comes down to the fact that it's the parents' responsibility to raise their child properly, to be more actively involved in their childrens' lives. It's the child's job to do more than watch TV and play video games all day, and again the parents' job to make sure they don't spend all of their time on said activities.

Still not enough for you?

How about this article posted by our own Mike Fahey.

Quoth Fahey, who understands what is being said entirely, "As for his comments on video games raising our children, it really isn't a criticism of gaming in as much as it is a criticism of parents, which I agree with wholeheartedly. It's nice to see a politician who grasps that simple concept."

Why is it that Fahey and I can accurately comprehend what the man is trying to say, but you can't?

And yes, you have insulted me. As I said before, you have insulted all voters, just as Hillary Clinton did in her campaign when she implied that people were only backing Obama because of his speeches and charisma. She went so far as to say that his supporters were "delusional". Granted, you did not say that, but you're making the same grand assumptions and insinuations that she did. And it's very insulting.

You can stick your fingers in your ears as much as you want, on as many topics as you want, but the only result is that you yourself will miss the point.

justhesh

Its just like when Huckabee got screamed at by the guitarist of Boston for using "More than a Feeling" during rallies. I really don't care what music is used during commercials, because A) I don't watch commercials due to DVR-ing everything and B) I use my own brain to choose the candidate more receptive to my ideals.

Shadowguitar

@Shiryu:

Huh? Why is it a low level? He needed dramatic music, he went out and legally got it. Nothing wrong there. Sure the composer may be against his message but really, he's getting exposure and it's good for him. I bet 95% of you would never have heard of this composer if it weren't for him.

Also portugal lost Shinryu :(

Ethereus

@Strangelove: Both of these guys are going to screw us McCain is just nice enough to use lube. So If it is between these two then I choose McCain. I know Barr and a few others are running but they are no count and will not win. I do not throw my vote away. When Dems talk about taking over the oil business and dont let us drill off our own shores and in the states then I dont vote for them. At least McCain is for off shore (not Alaska though for some dumb azz reason).

Ive worked for two different congressmen and one Senator and they all are douche bags on some issues.

McCain is a bit more of a lib than I like but he is as close as im going to get this cycle. Hell I even use to work for high right hand hinchman(Graham) so I guess I at least have an in there.

orionzdrm

That composer is such a tool.

If he doesn't have ownership of the piece, then there's nothing to talk about. It isn't his music. He sold it.

He can cry all he wants about teh evul republicanz using "his" beautiful music for an "agenda" he disagrees with, but there's nothing he can legally do besides whining about it.

Kenny

@Gouki146:

Now that is just stupid,Ron Paul wouldn't want to get involved in a foreign war even if it was just a computer game.
Now the theme tune to Final Fight would be right up his (crime ridden) alley.

Weirdwolf

Not.A.Big.Deal.At.All

Like seriously this is just stupid I don't care if it was Obama that "committed" this. It's very petty.

BTW McCain will be getting my vote not my first choice but better than Obama

kgetz3

Ron Paul FTW naked w/ a jock strap in combat boots w/ a knife in his teeth eating roots and drinking swamp water to the theme song in snake eater!!!!

Gouki146

@Captain_Goober:

Did you miss this part?

I am dismayed that my music has been used to promote his platform and even more disappointed that a candidate who claims to be the best voice for American entrepreneurs and business owners in this troubled economy so flagrantly ignored the most basic values and tenents of copyright and intellectual property...

LittleBigPlaneteer

@yashichi8bit: Sorry, I have to do this:

+ Watch video

+ Watch video

Erwin

Gotta say, this looks pretty foolish, pretty fraudulent...

TheTheTheTheWhat

...sounds like McCain fairly got the rights to use the piece.

...sounds like Christopher Lennertz is feeling a bit self-important.

I know even Chris has to eat, but here's a PRO-TIP: If you want to control how your art is used, DON'T SELL THE RIGHTS TO IT.

GorbyGipper

Whatever.
I'm Obama all the way, but seriously?
Too much fuss over some random music that could easily be replaced.

Also, if nothing illegal was done, that's about it.
Musics being used on stuff the author might agree or not is a pretty common thing.

Once the artist accepted money, endorsement or whatever in exchange for their music and signed a contract stating that the music owner is XX company, the author's opinion is just that and nothing else. Harsh, but true.

On another note, I wonder how Richard Clayderman feels about porn movies and love hotel ads. XD

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

Dear Kotaku,

Please no more political stuff... I don't like knowing that some of my fellow kotakuites are morons.

formerlurker

Come on people- he sold his rights to the music- its no longer his anymore. I'm sure there are plenty of musicians who cringe to hear their song being played prominently in a new teen movie, but thats the price they paid when they signed the contract. If they didn't like it, they didn't have to sign on the dotted line.....

Jiperly

@EnigmaNemesis:

Perhaps you would like to share them?
One party or weakened systems have never really been a success. The unity governments in the second world war and during the depression spring immediately to mind as none dictatorship examples.
It's not actually my system,(different country and I favour PR,) but I love politics and so like to keep an eye out on the other side of the pond.My friends think I am strange for staying up all night to watch every candidates debate and having C-span bookmarked.

Weirdwolf

@Buttah:

Yes, if you consider a "reasonable stance" to be "Gamers are lazy underachieving pigs", then sure, Obama's your man!

Let's be plain:
OBAMA=Idiot douchebag
McCain=Idiot douchebag

American Voter=moron who screws *himself* by continuing to support the fraudulent Democratic and Republican parties.

jasongw

@orionzdrm:

Getting off of oil should be the plan not replacing one group of arseholes with another much closer to home.

Voting for someone who's prepared to shit on the local environment to lower gas prices $1 a gallon is more indicative of your shortsightedness and exactly why they are doing it to win your vote.

Jelster

I'm sure McCain new exactly where the music was from, who wrote it and their party of choice. I bet he even spent hours editing the commercial. This Christopher Lennertz is a fucking tool and needs to get a life. Actually I do too.

DaveB

@GorbyGipper:

I believe someone contacted him for comment. Which kinda makes his personal feelings on the subject quite relevant.

Jelster

Christopher Lennertz also composed the scores for "The Comebacks", "Meet the Spartans", "Alvin & The Chipmunk", and other stinkers.

I don't think he's going to change the tide one way or the other.

Funny, though, how he has no problem being a part of a war-glorifying video game project but dislikes the use of his music in this particular ad...

vanlingo

I hate McCain and Obama. With a fiery passion of hatred and disgust. And more hated... cued by disgust. And hatred. Damn them >_>

<_<

superevilcube

I think this whole thing is just stupid. The composer SOLD this piece of music for money. Why should this guy continue to get a say in how it is used after he sold it?

This whole thing is ridculeous, first this composer who thinks he can sell his music and somehow still thinks he has complete control in how it is used, second is this idea that McCain using this guy's music somehow means that he supports McCain. I doubt before this guy complained anyone knew who he was to begin with.

This is just a manufactured controversy, regardless if you support McCain. This composer's conduct is clearly politically motivated, and is probably out to get free publicity.

NullsRevenge

Looks like he is supporting Obama out of spite, that's always the right thing to do...

Gam3r

Now, if Doom's E1M1 theme had been used - that would kick.
E1M1 - Sonic Clang

quaver

I'm John McCain and I approve of video game soundtracks

Orionsaint

Does anyone *care* what some left-wing nutjob thinks when he knowingly signed over the rights to his works years ago? Stop giving this tool the time of day and move on.

Nogib

@Shiryu: Ok... thats just WRONG and a new level of LOW in politics... Id would not liek to have my work used like this...

You think THAT is "a new low" for politics? That's not even close.

KaneRobot

@autob0n: Yes, keep on insulting people for doing hypothetical things you yourself created.

Murgatron

@Erwin: Damnit Erwin! I will never forgive you for that Hilary video. The first was shit, but that second one was just F'd

yashichi8bit

Politics is dirty buisness... It even affects those who do not involve themselves in it as well.

adragonfang18

McCain used music from a game set in the wrong era.

That's all I got to say about that.

Frank

@tabion20

"Meh. Just more evidence that McCain lives in a make believe world."

Are you kidding me? Even though I don't agree with McCain politically, I know the man has lived in a world a thousand times more "real" than you or I could even imagine. Compared to what he went through, you and I live in a fantasy.

subnet6

obomba, mcpain

same shit, different piles

jkingsowner

Im in ur TVz, stealin ur muzik!

LightStriker

If Obama had a videogame theme song in one of his ads, what would it be?

Ed_209

User @atomicn managed to type: "Yay for Barack Obama. No for McDead. (seriously who wants a president that is 100 years old has every illness known to mankind dirty old white man with disgusting white hair).."

Wow.
Really? I mean, really?

I've seen and read a lot of shocking things, but this.. I don't even know what to say.
..

zluzlutt

@Jelster:

McCain wants to get us off oil, but he's realizing(rather late sadly) that oil is our blood and will remain so for quite a while. so instead of having our hand tied behind our back, it's better to explore that option and leave no stone unturned for energy. Things don't always go as planned and those other sources of energy may not work as good as planned. so it's better to have something to fall back on instead of nothing at all. In otherwords, it's keeping oil on the table, ALONG with alternatives.
And considering the environment is alot tougher than people think... pfft.

Moving on, because I usually can't stand when politics is mentioned here because it sadly highlights the ignorance of my video game comrades...
Legally, this guy has no right to complain. he sold his rights. Now the person he sold it to can do whatever they want with it. McCain's camp used it legally and there isn't any problem with that. His personal feelings matter little when it comes to the law.

Trov

Cry me a river, guy. If I were an Obama supporter, I would be ashamed to have you in my ranks. (Just to be clear, I'm not a huge fan of McCain either.) Once you sell your IP to someone, it becomes their IP to do with what they please (excluding pre-existing deals). If you don't like it, don't sell out. It's that simple. Do what thousands of bands do: self publish, or get a publisher that supports your ownership if you really give a damn about protecting your music. Don't come whining to the media for sympathy when your money grab backfires. If you're really an artist, act like one.

Why is Kotaku even giving this guy coverage? Must have been a slow news day.

thenino85

MOHEA FTW! For those of you who dont remember...the campaign slogan for the game was "I was there"...How fitting Mr. Mccain. I wonder why they didnt have footage of the awesome AI in that game in the background.../sarcasm

juicemaster23