Gingrich wants ‘Eye of the Tiger’ lawsuit dismissed
Associated Press March 6, 2012 10:34AM
Republican presidential hopeful, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich speaks at a Hy-Vee store in Mt Pleasant, Iowa, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Updated: April 10, 2012 10:41AM
Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has asked a federal judge in Chicago to dismiss a lawsuit that accuses him of violating copyrights by playing “Eye of the Tiger” at campaign events. In court papers filed Monday, Gingrich denies any wrongdoing and says recordings played of the “Rocky III” anthem constituted “fair use” under federal copyright law. The federal lawsuit filed by Rude Music Inc. says Gingrich has used the song since 2009 to herald his arrival at public events without permission from Frank Sullivan, who, with Jim Peterik, composed the song and copyrighted it in 1982. The lawsuit asks for a court order barring Gingrich from using the song, plus monetary damages and attorneys’ fees.
