On Friday (11.18,) the music publisher for Tom Petty, Wixen Music Publishing, hit Kari Lake with a Cease and Desist letter over her use of “I Won’t Back Down,” after the failed Republican Arizona gubernatorial candidate lost to Katie Hobbs.
Following backlash from Petty’s estate for using the track after refusing to concede the governor’s race, earlier this week, Lake posted a since-deleted video featuring the song on her social media accounts.
Noting that the use of the song “conveys the false implication that the claimants endorse” her, a notion Wixen called “revolting,” on Friday the music publisher sent the letter to Lake’s campaign, stating:
“Tom sang ‘I Won’t Back Down’ at the America: A Tribute to Heroes benefit for concert for the victims of 9/11 attack. Not backing down to hatred violence and an attack on our democracy.” “The opposite of what you stand for. Using this song to promote your warped values is not only illegal as outlined above, but an insult to Tom’s memory, his lyrics and music, and the tens of millions of fans who cherish his legacy.”
Petty’s ex-wife Jane Benyo Petty further attacked Lake’s use of the song for denying the election results, writing:
“Tom Petty would not ever let Kari Lake, an election denier, use his great anthem ‘I Won’t’ Back Down’ to not concede a legitimate election.” “Her alliance with Trump makes it even worse. She is getting a cease-and-desist letter. I would like to thank all the fans on Twitter for telling me about the video.”
Wixen confirmed that any further use of the song could result in up to $150,000 per infringement, adding “Ms. Lake, Tom also wrote ‘Even Losers Get Lucky Sometimes.” “This is not one of those times. Proceed at your peril.”
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: Camtin at English Wikipedia