Lil Wayne Sued For Playing With Fire
Lil Wayne was hit by a lawsuit yesterday (7/24), filed by a music publishing company that owns the rights to The Rolling Stones ' song "Play With Fire." Abkco Music Inc. claims the rapper released an altered version of the song without permission, according to Reuters.
In the suit, which was filed in federal court in Manhattan, Abkco says Lil Wayne's song "Playing With Fire" is a clear derivative of The Rolling Stones' song with the original lyrics and music altered in a recognizable way. As an example, the suit says the Stones' lyrics "But don't play with me, 'cause you're playing with fire," was changed by Lil Wayne to "But you can't blame me if I set this stage on fire."
The music publisher also said Lil Wayne's version uses "explicit, sexist and offensive language" and could lead the public to believe the Rolling Stones approved of and authorized the new version.
Lil Wayne, his artistic collaborators and his record company, a unit of Universal Music Group, all were named in the suit, which is seeking unspecified damages for copyright infringement and unfair competition.
- Artist Links:
Year End: 2008 music news in review [December 2008]
Lil Wayne claims top-selling album of 2008 [January 2009]
Featured Photos: Lil Wayne at the Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA - Dec. 23, 2008 [December 2008]
LiveDaily Weekend Podcast, December 19: Morrissey, Britney Spears, Nine Inch Nails and more [December 2008]
Weekend Ticketing: Billy Joel & Elton John, Britney Spears, Nickelback, Lil Wayne, Brad Paisley [December 2008]
Eagles land more 'Long Road' gigs
Willie Nelson's tour bus rolls into spring
The Watson Twins stoke 'Fire' on headlining trek
Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton dies at 60
Cheech & Chong reunion to stay lit through spring
Michael Franti & Spearhead in SF 2006
Bjork at the Coachella Festival 2007
Top 100 Best Photos of 2008
Lil Wayne in Oakland California 2008
Nas at the Hammerstein Ballroom NYC 2008
NOFX with Vans Warped Tour in SF 2006
"Q101 Twisted XV" in Chicago Illinois 2008
Disturbed at "Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival" 2008
Morrissey at SxSW in Austin Texas 2006
Oasis at Madison Square Garden in NYC 2008

