Tag Archives: GoldieBlox

UPDATE: Beastie Boys vs. GoldieBlox

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A few months ago I posted about a controversial advertisement created by girl-tech startup company GoldieBlox. They posted a really great ad on YouTube which was unfortunately comprised of a parodied version of The Beastie Boys’ classic “Girls”. After all of the controversy it looks like GoldieBlox has swapped the music in a revised version of the ad.  Unfortunately I don’t have the original ad to share so if you haven’t seen it just play “Girls” over it but replace the lyrics with lyrics like the below.

Beastie Boys threaten to sue toy company GoldieBlox for copyright infringmenent

You can read more about the legal wrangling on BusinessWeek.com

My favorite quite from this article:

“We’re not going to argue the merits of the cases here. It’s complicated when, on one side, there are the beloved Beastie Boys, including the estate of Adam “MCA” Yauch, who died last year of cancer and whose will prohibits use of his music in advertising.  “

Regardless of fair and whatever the song was being used to advertise I believe there are some basic creative principles that were being ignored by GoldieBlox. They could have asked for permission. But I guess the saying goes “Better to ask forgiveness than seek permission…” (??)

 

Beastie Boys vs. GoldieBlox

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Beastie Boys threaten to sue toy company GoldieBlox for copyright infringmenent

(There is no shortage of photos of Beastie Boys going “wuhhhhhh??!!”)

UPDATE 2/1/2014: It looks like GoldieBlox pulled the original music and replaced it with something different. I wish I saved the original. Some more info on BusinessWeek.com

The Beastie Boys are threatening startup toy maker GoldieBlox with a copyright infringement suit. Once again, the fine line of fair use and parody. I generally don’t voice my own opinion on these and just present the music but I’m a little torn here. Here are some thoughts:

1. This is a commercial for company and their products. It is not a couple of kids posting a cover song on YouTube (even then, I’m not even sure how that legally works if you are monetizing. I’m sure there is a 3,000 page document somewhere.)

2. If the Beastie Boys never became who they are and were currently pumping gas or spending their time making websites like this they would certainly want to be rewarded for the use of their song in this ad.

The ad is great and GoldieBlox seems like a great idea so kudos to the filmmakers – mission accomplished. Views on the OK Go inspired Rube Goldberg Machine video are nearing 8 Million as of this posting. GoldieBlox describes themselves as “…a toy company out to show the world that girls deserve more choices than dolls and princesses. We believe that femininity is strong and girls will build the future — literally.”

The surviving members of the Beastie Boys have since threatened the company with a copyright infringement suit, saying that it is not fair use, as GoldieBlox state. In legal documents the company defends itself by writing: “GoldieBlox created its parody video with specific goals to make fun of the Beastie Boys song, and to further the company’s goal to break down gender stereotypes and to encourage young girls to engage in activities that challenge their intellect, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. The GoldieBlox ‘Girls’ Parody Video has gone viral on the Internet, and has been recognized by the press and the public as a parody and criticism of the original song. –  from “Beastie Boys accuse viral video creators of copyright infringement” on NME

And here ya go:

GoldieBlox

Beastie Boys – “Girls” (1986)

 

For more Beastie Boys
The Beastie Boys – “Paul Revere” (1986) vs. Kia Shine – “Krispy” (2007)

Click here for more copyright infringement cases on ThatSongSoundsLike.com