Fox News: ‘We Hope R.E.M. Was Able to Satisfy Their Publicity Fix’ After Rockers Demand Network Stop Playing Their Music
AP
Fox News on Friday responded to rock band R.E.M.’s demand that the network stop playing their music by essentially telling them to take a hike.
“Fox News Channel’s use of an R.E.M. song during Thursday’s edition of ‘Fox & Friends’ was in full accordance with its license agreements with all appropriate parties. Nevertheless, we’re always flattered to have this much attention for a song selection and we hope R.E.M. was able to satisfy their publicity fix,” a Fox News spokesperson said in a statement, according to Mediaite.
The band, which officially broke up last year, apparently reunited to issue a cease-and-desist order after Fox used their 1991 hit “Losing My Religion” during its coverage of the Democratic National Convention. The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone and Politico were among the news outlets that picked up the item.
“We have little or no respect for their puff adder brand of reportage. Our music does not belong there,” band member Michael Stipe said in a statement posted online Thursday.
“R.E.M. today, through its music publisher, Warner-Tamerlane Music, demanded that Fox News cease and desist from continuing its unlicensed and unauthorized use of the song,” the band wrote.
A letter obtained by Mediaite from Fox News’ senior vice president for legal affairs to Warner Music stated that the network was operating “in accordance with its license agreements…and is thereby permitted.”
Image source: Mediaite
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Comments (155)
billrow
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:25pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj_F9yRpx_M
Here is my favorite version of that particular REM song.
MAULEMALL
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:37pmmike the poof got all puffed…
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Cemetery
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:54pmI didn’t even think R.E.M. was still around and I’m sure I’m not the only one. They should take whatever publicity they can get and stop being typical snotty leftist morons. You know this country is going downhill when mediocre irrelevant 90′s bands are upset that a conservative network is playing their music. Please kindly get over yourselves liberals.
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TRUTHandFREEDOM
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:56pmWith all of the good and great music that has been released over the past few decades, why are they even bothering with the mediocre stuff like REM?
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Leopold
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:02pmObama brings out the worst possible attitute in people. A behavior of hatred, envy, jealousy, racism, greed, and violence. He ruins the economy. Does not care about justice.
He Is lawless and a very angry man.
He is a man of fierce countenance.
He looks like there is true darkness in him.
And these people, REM, who I am pretty sure agree 100% with Obama, want to now decide who can and cannot play their music?
Something has happened to the democrat party over the last couple of weeks. Something is different. They either all got their instructions from the same source, or they have completely lost control.
There is a tightening happening. An aggression against Fox, conservative talkshows and any kind of opposition to Obama. When questioned they are reacting in a vicious manner.
The corruption of the entire democrat party is almost complete.
Dem delegates want to kill Romney.
Live for government.
Eliminate profits for corporations.
Limit choice to only include abortion.
Think republicans want to drown black people.
Think Republicans are Nazis
Think Christians want to kill Jews.
Think Obama is Jesus.
Heck, maybe even Obama thinks he is Jesus. He did say he will lower the sea level and heal the planet?
They hate Israel.
They hate God. Here I include Atheists.
They really live in a different universe.
I think there will be real violence the closer we get to the election. The left came so far. They will not allow to just lose it.
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Shiroi Raion
Posted on September 8, 2012 at 1:06amGood. I never liked their music. If only Liberal media plays it, I won’t have to hear them anymore. The singer has an annoying whiny voice and the music is, I think, it’s less than mediocre – it’s bland, boring.
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RSHLUVER
Posted on September 8, 2012 at 2:00amLol!!
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strewth_cobber
Posted on September 8, 2012 at 3:23amThat boy’s got talent! And sings with more vocal range, and feeling, than Michael whats-his-name and Kylie Minogue put together! (which is about one whole tone and a semi-tone or one-and-a-half notes).
Just wondering, how does the star of that video go at doing rap songs (with all their profanities)?
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landman1
Posted on September 8, 2012 at 10:05amSay…..ain’t them the guys that put salad bowls on their heads? Oh , that’s right…that was Devo!! Well let’s play some Devo then…them guys rocked!
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OhioRifleman
Posted on September 8, 2012 at 1:58pmREM? HOLY CRAP! I thought they were DRT a decade ago! Where have these cheese-wankers been?
Now, if you want some HEAVY METAL CHEESE, try just about any video done by Hammerfall. Their songs are good (love their version of Man On A Silver Mountain), but their videos are either corny or poke fun at Metal videos in general…or both, in a few cases.
/BRIAN BLESSED
/rant
Have a good day!
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Patriot Z
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:25pmits ok seriously never could stand REM, whiney self egrandizing music. I mean really their songs epitomized whinneyness….uuuhhhheeeevveerybooodyyy huurrrttsss…waaahhhhh waahhhhhhhhh.
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PorkPIG
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:06pmyou beat me to it .
REM= waaaahhhhh waaaaaaaahhhhhhh waaaaaaaaaahhhhh .
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PeachyinGA
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:44pmCould be the very reason Fox felt their song was appropriate to play during the DNC convention.
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castuslonginus
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:43pmMichael Stipe has always been a pretentious little pillowbiter .
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ECtech
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:53pmI’ll go even further and say that R.E.M. sucks. How can they even be classified as “rock”? They are much more like wussified “pop”.
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darkknight91
Posted on September 8, 2012 at 12:53amI always wanted to beat those sissies up.
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Master.Debater
Posted on September 8, 2012 at 7:27amI agree, don’t think REM would be classified as “rockers”
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The Jewish Avenger
Posted on September 8, 2012 at 8:01amungh….*sniff*
Soooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeetiiiiiiiimmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeessssss
Oh my gosh we used to mock that song just to kill the monotony of it
“Now its time to sing along”
Now its time to wear a thong
“Everybody hurts…”
Everybody Smurfs…
Summary of letter:
Dear former washed up REM peeps and reps
Go screw and go back to bed, make a better song
“YOU WROTE A BAD SONG PETEY!”
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justangry
Posted on September 8, 2012 at 8:32amWell, you aren’t Shiny Happy People at all.
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karencole
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:24pmRem = cowards
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justangry
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:56pmHow so?
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DarkJello
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 11:04pmInsulting to… cowards!!!
R.E.M put out some songs I like. If they are “left”, why so little tolerance?
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U.N.hater
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:19pmWho cares what that g a y singer think’s.Fox should have never used their music in the first place. Quit promote’ing g a y anything…
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DarkJello
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:27pmI don’t care if he is or is not of that persuasion.
I like several of their songs. This is total lamesauce on their part.
FOX should “torture” and/or “waterboard” them by playing even more songs. Delicious!
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sparkyrules
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:34pmSome of my best freinds are queer.I don’t care.We’re still right and tight.They know(2) my stance.They’d DIE for me and me for them.We’re friends for life.There is no such a thing as gay ‘marriage’.
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Loki
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:40pmhis orientation doesn’t matter.
his crappy music is the issue. keep playing the music fox.. play it everyday…
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justangry
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:55pmI like REM’s music. I don’t like Michael Stipe’s sexual orientation, but don’t hate him for being gay like so many on here. That being said, he’s right about Fox. It’s a miserable organization with very little journalistic integrity. Of course, all the networks are miserable, Fox just panders to social progressives.
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Taquoshi
Posted on September 8, 2012 at 4:59pmOnce the band signed the contract with ASCAP, BMI and whoever else, they ceded control rights and use of the song. The band members may not LIKE Fox News using the song, but Fox paid for and received permission to use the song. The band members don’t have the right to issue a cease and desist.
Bottom line – tough noogies, R.E.M.
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TJexcite
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:18pmWell at least they did a real cease and desists order over the Maroon 5 guy who sent a foul tweet and thought that was good.
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Satrix
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:18pmR.E.M. didn’t write that song! They didn’t build that band! What’s the matter? Are they not receiving those obscene royalties and profits? Didn’t they make enough money on that song already? It’s about time they starting giving back. Where would they be without….hmm..I don’t know…Warner Bros.–that big corporation who financially backed them.
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mcgrawactor1
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 8:14pmAwesome post!!
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reality based lifeform
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:12pmR.E.M. = Romney Envying Musicians
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MAULEMALL
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:39pmrem = Really empty morons
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Amica
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:12pmPuff adder?
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Amica
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:15pmPuff adder is the common name of several snake species:
Bitis arietans, a venomous snake species found in Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula
Bitis, any other member of this genus
Heterodon, a genus of harmless North American colubrid snakes
Puff adder may also refer to:
Puff Adder (comics), a mutant supervillain in the Marvel Universe
Hm…I wonder which one he means.
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chips1
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:38pmI thought it was Clinton’s pet name for Monica.
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Amica
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:45pmOhhhhh!
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team1blazer
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:11pmREM = rectal entry masters
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saranda
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:31pmSo clever. Bet your mom is proud.
Hopefully you at least know that sodomy can also be a hetero act.
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team1blazer
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:55pmYeah saranda, but that’s not the way you roll is it.
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saranda
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 7:30pmAgain, you are so clever. Did you debate in high school,? Or are still trying to get to high school?
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booger71
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:00pmSaranda
If you like to be rear-ended, by all means have your partner tear it up.
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grayling646
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:10pmHA!!! Love it!!! Can’t wait for their response. I bet it’ll involve a nice bottle of aged whine.
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sparkyrules
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:09pmLosing my religion….its FREE No royalties for the Punks.
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sparkyrules
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:07pmLosing my religion…HEY R.E.M. I play it FOR FREE BUCKO.You just shot yourself in the foot!
And by the way,its the ONLY SONG that’s worth hearing..and barely
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grayling646
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:23pmI agree. It’s not a song I would pull up on You Tube. None of theirs are. If you’re a middle aged or older rock and roller you’ll probably like this one. Actually, I just found it and I’m obsessing on it right now. It’s the best guitar solo I’ve ever heard. I’m probably the last one to know about it.
Gary Moore – The Messiah will Come Again (1990).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtF-An9wFLk&feature=related
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sparkyrules
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:28pmI love Gary Moore. and miss that man very much .True MUSICIAN .
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KusoJiJi
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 11:11pmRegret never seeing Gary Moore live.
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mzee26
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:07pmYou’d think R.E.M. would appreciate someone playing their music because really, who else is?
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Bluebonnet
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:14pmHas beens, who don’t recognize they need every boost they can get. I’ll make sure I don’t listen to them hereafter.
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RightUnite
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:04pmR.E.M. who??
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Rayblue
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:13pmAren’t they the other half of Stimpy ?
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Mutiny
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:02pmI love how the Democrats railroad their delegates and its huge Fox news story. The GOP does it, and Fox ignores it.
Fair and balanced my ass.
I want Ben Swann to start a national news network. Maybe then some real news coverage will come out and start informing the sheep.
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Mapache
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:08pmDid you ever hear of AIr America? How is that working out for you?
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HorseCrazy
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:13pmoh really? ya thats right we on the right are big whiners always crying about some lame cause and fairness boycotting screaming throwing tantrums…oh thats right we aren’t we are all too busy working to deal with this petty garbage. nice try though with the lame I hate fox, fox news lies garbage. get some facts educate yourself and try and stay away from the same lame nonsense that huffpo feeds you the actual truth is way beyond your media matters talking points
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USALOVER2011
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:28pmReally Mut??? Fox News is the only Network that deliver the real news….Hmmmm are you sure you’re not talking about the lame stream media?
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booger71
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:02pmThe order came down from the golfer-in-chief, blame him
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Mutiny
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 9:15pmSo attack me while ignoring the story?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmaE2Aez_XY&feature=share Ben Swann’s report. Watch and learn or continue to look like idiot liberals.
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freedomisasfreedomdoes
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:02pmPetty and pathetic. Grow-up R.E.M.
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Dan
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:59pmR.E.M. is yet another casualty of my awakening. I was getting tired of their whiney music anyways, and it all sounds the same. Should I shred the old CD’s or sell them so they don’t get the royalty? I know, I’ll sell them on eBay with 100% of the proceeds to benefit Mercury One! Take THAT, you whiney old musicians!
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DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:15pmGet rid of all of them…….except Murmur. Never get rid of Murmur.
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beckwill
Posted on September 9, 2012 at 12:55amway to serve them…lovin it!
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Eastinfection
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:57pmHey Mikey- i don’t judge you for having anger issues. After all – “everybody hurts… sometimes.” Right?…. i know, i know “YOU’RE Superman, and YOU can do anything”. Just stop acting like “it’s the end of the world and you know it”, because “life.. is bigger.. bigger than you..”
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Bekah
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:01pmThat’s great! :)
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HorseCrazy
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:15pmI vote best comment ever. you have me laughing so hard love it
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SHASTADIANE1
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:57pmDarn and I really liked that tune…it was catchy. Guess I’ll just have to suffer…because I won’t listen to it again.
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Mapache
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:56pmGlad Foxnews stood up to these whiners. They want all the perks and benefits (money) of putting their music out there and then think they can selectively choose to control it. If they want to maintain absolute control of their music they had better get a better lawyer and write their contracts and agreements better.
Frankly, it would be great if I never had to hear that whiney piss-ant song again.
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chips1
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:49pm“I’d like to teach the world to sing, in perf………. ” Naw!!! That was another stupid thought I had. SORRY!!!!
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Larry E
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:52pmI’m sure that this will be the end of Fox News. I always thought that REM was a type of sleep during which dreams took place anyway.
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DarkJello
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:49pmLMBO!
For R.E.M. this is the end of the world as [they] know it…
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canadianlady
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:48pmWay to go Fox News!
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korbin
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:48pmRim more like it haha. I always thought they sucked anyway’s but what is with all of these bands who are against getting publicity for free? they are 99.9999% of the time desiring public approval and attention. It reminds me of selective famousism I made that word up, I am famous only when it suits me.
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:47pmREM
Really
Evil
Mambypambys
The last full room they played to was a men’s room at the downtown bus stop. I heard they made almost $100 in nickels.
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13th Imam
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 5:55pmAnd all they could swallow
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sparkyrules
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:08pmI heard they play in the rest rooms.
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Wool-Free Vision
Posted on September 7, 2012 at 6:36pmMichael Stipe and company calling somone else a puff adder is irony at its best. Stipe the most self-important perpetual victim ever to be kicked out of his own gig at gunpoint for trying to take a dump on the stage (this is not hyperbole, it is a true story).
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