I find it disturbing that in the country which is perceived as the most powerful in the world that licensed music in an election campaign could become an important issue!  If it was unlicensed then sure, sue their pants off!
 
To me its more disturbing that people believe that playing someones music legally can be perceived as an a political endorsement to anyone, especially if said artist is deceased and royalties are flowing to their estate or beneficiaries.  I t would be different if the artists were doing fund raising concerts for their political favourites, but I am guessing they are not.
 
I will have nightmares that the future of a country with as much military power as the USA could possibly be influenced by how much Justin Bieber music is played at their political election campaigns..
 
Funny video though, and very clever, its just concerning to me that it could actually be relevant!

Siluroo
I find it disturbing that in the country which is perceived as the most powerful in the world that licensed music in an election campaign could become an important issue!  If it was unlicensed then sure, sue their pants off!
 
To me its more disturbing that people believe that playing someones music legally can be perceived as an a political endorsement to anyone, especially if said artist is deceased and royalties are flowing to their estate or beneficiaries.  I t would be different if the artists were doing fund raising concerts for their political favourites, but I am guessing they are not.
 
I will have nightmares that the future of a country with as much military power as the USA could possibly be influenced by how much Justin Bieber music is played at their political election campaigns..
 
Funny video though, and very clever, its just concerning to me that it could actually be relevant!

It keeps us from having to talk about the hard stuff...
 
Dan

Siluroo
I find it disturbing that in the country which is perceived as the most powerful in the world that licensed music in an election campaign could become an important issue!

 
I find it equally as disturbing that a country that is perceived as the most powerful in the world has politicians (including their entire team) that blatantly use a song for their own gain without seeking permission and likely have no plans in place to pay the royalties. You can't do that as a business, why would it be OK for a politician? How hard is it to have someone on the campaign pick up the phones and get the proper permission? They do not have the right to take whatever they want! They are not above the law!
 
I view decisions like this as a "canary in the coalmine"... take that anyway you want!
MODS: If this got too political, just take it down. I'm not here to cause a problem in that regard

codamedia

Siluroo
I find it disturbing that in the country which is perceived as the most powerful in the world that licensed music in an election campaign could become an important issue!

 
I find it equally as disturbing that a country that is perceived as the most powerful in the world has politicians (including their entire team) that blatantly use a song for their own gain without seeking permission and likely have no plans in place to pay the royalties. You can't do that as a business, why would it be OK for a politician? How hard is it to have someone on the campaign pick up the phones and get the proper permission? They do not have the right to take whatever they want! They are not above the law!
 
I view decisions like this as a "canary in the coalmine"... take that anyway you want!
MODS: If this got too political, just take it down. I'm not here to cause a problem in that regard

What royalties do they owe? And what would be the "proper" (i.e. in terms of legal) permission? I thought it was already established that they didn't do anything illegal and don't owe royalties.

Thing is, in a republic or democratic structure the people listening to your music are voters anyway.  The artist's music is being listened to by political minds all the live long day, every day.  Statesmen and women of all flavors are listening to their music.
 
To get bent out of shape about use during a convention seems a little late.  And, besides, they're all fans.  They were fans when they were listening in their car, or at home blogging about politics and etc....who noticed?  Isn't that the point of reaching people with music?  We only want to reach people that think like exactly like us?  
 
Your fans are made up of people of all political persuasions, generally.  If you're offended your music is being used at a conservative function, how do you feel about your music being listened to by those same conservatives, all the time, in their private lives?  

IBTL! 

Too funny! Love the dig at Spotify!

Thanks, MandolinPicker, for that link. It explains why it's usually not necessary to get the copyright holder's explicit permission to use a song. That's usually covered under a previously-negotiated blanket license, not unlike that of a radio station. At least, as long as the music is incidental and not synchronized to the action on the stage.
 
That doesn't mean there isn't room for lawsuits, though. But in most cases, when legal action has been pursued, the artist has lost. Most of the time, the artist does not sue, preferring to argue their case in the court of public opinion. (After all, even a wealthy pop star is no match for the bottomless resources of a major political party where the majority of candidates are lawyers.)
 
Interestingly, when the same scenario occurred in France, the political party paid a substantial out-of-court settlement. Different standards in the EU, I suspect. 
 
 

I really don't think I'd care if Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton used my music at one of their rallies and I can't stand either of them. I just don't understand the sentiment I guess. I've never heard a song at a political rally and thought "oh, that artist must be a supporter!" I just don't know where that idea comes from. There are some songs which have been used countless times in TV commercials, like "The Final Countdown" by Europe and "We Are The Champions" by Queen, but I never thought for one minute that those bands were personally endorsing the products in the ads. Who thinks that? 
 
Likewise, I've never been bothered by the political content of songs or the political persuasion of artists. It doesn't bother me that Pete Seeger was a communist, I love his music even though I'm probably the polar opposite to him in my political views. I have friends who are the exact opposite of me politically. I don't see my friendship with them as being an endorsement of their political views. 
 
It seems to me that these artists are either just throwing a tantrum or trying to draw attention to themselves. Probably a mixture of both. 

sharke
I really don't think I'd care if Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton used my music at one of their rallies and I can't stand either of them. I just don't understand the sentiment I guess. I've never heard a song at a political rally and thought "oh, that artist must be a supporter!" I just don't know where that idea comes from. There are some songs which have been used countless times in TV commercials, like "The Final Countdown" by Europe and "We Are The Champions" by Queen, but I never thought for one minute that those bands were personally endorsing the products in the ads. Who thinks that? 
 
Likewise, I've never been bothered by the political content of songs or the political persuasion of artists. It doesn't bother me that Pete Seeger was a communist, I love his music even though I'm probably the polar opposite to him in my political views. I have friends who are the exact opposite of me politically. I don't see my friendship with them as being an endorsement of their political views. 
 
It seems to me that these artists are either just throwing a tantrum or trying to draw attention to themselves. Probably a mixture of both. 

well said!