Did Congresswoman Greene Forget About D.R.E.?
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The italicized lines will strike a note with those familiar with the song in reference.
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Dr. Dre is a successful rapper, producer, and entrepreneur. His songs are wildly popular and recognizable. Many fans consider “Still D.R.E.” to be his best song.
Marjorie Taylor Greene is a Congresswoman from Northwest Georgia.
Congresswoman Greene recently used the song “Still Dre” to soundtrack a promotional video. Without his permission, she acted like she forgot about D.R.E.
In the nearly two-minute video, posted on Monday morning with the caption “It’s time to begin . . . and they can’t stop what’s coming,” the [] lawmaker from Georgia walks out of her office in slow motion to the familiar first notes of Dre’s 1999 hit with Snoop Dogg.
Greene then walks the halls of Congress and boards an elevator – still in slow motion, and eventually in black and white. The video also commemorates a phone call with “DT” (Donald Trump) and McCarthy’s election as speaker . . . . [FN1]
Displeased by the Congresswoman using his song without permission (much less a synchronization license), Dr. Dre’s attorneys sent Congresswoman Greene a cease and desist letter. The letter accused the congresswoman of copyright infringement. It was made clear that Dr. Dre protects his work: a song that’s untouchable like Elliott Ness.
Congresswoman Greene’s counsel responded “On behalf of Congresswoman Greene, please be advised that no further use of [Dr. Dre]’s copyright will be made by a political committee or via social media outlet she controls” and the video was promptly removed from social media. News sources indicate that Congresswoman Greene’s Twitter account was locked in light of the incident.
For what it is worth, social media platforms are often entitled to a safe harbor (i.e., defense to liability) for infringing content posted by their account holders. However, Twitter and its peers might not want to run the risk of falling outside of the safe harbor. Or, they might simply want to stay out of the squabble.
Several news sources indicate that Dr. Dre successfully blocked the congresswoman from using his music. To be clear, Dr. Dre was successful in getting Congresswoman Greene to take down the video, but he did not sue her and get a win in court. It does not appear that he has taken those steps. It may never come to that. But if it does, Dr. Dre might call Ice Cube to tell everybody what the heck he gotta say.
For what it is worth--as a litigator (i.e., problem solver)--I encourage my clients to avoid making unnecessarily inflammatory remarks about the person/business on the other side of the letter. Finding amicable solutions is often the least expensive and safest solution.
Dr. Dre could have refrained from saying “I don’t license my music to politicians, especially someone as divisive and hateful as this one.” Similarly, the Congresswoman--and similarly situated parties accused of infringement--could avoid making retorts like the following: “While I appreciate the creative chord progression, I would never play your words of violence against women and police officers and your glorification of the thug life and drugs.” It is one thing to deny liability and defend yourself. It is another thing to throw gasoline on the fire.
Of course, those are my opinions. Both figures are adults and entitled to their opinions. I guess that’s part of the game.
[FN1] Adrian Horton, Dr Dre deplores ‘hateful’ Marjorie Taylor Greene using his song in removed video, The Guardian (Jan. 9, 2023, 1:56 PM), https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jan/09/dr-dre-marjorie-taylor-greene-song-promo-video; see also Mark Savage, Dr Dre forces US politician Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove promo video, BBC News (Jan. 10, 2023), https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64221538.
