McCain 'Running On Empty' When It Comes To Campaign Music To Use

Posted by Eriq Gardner

Maybe if John McCain is elected president, he can do something about those pesky copyright laws.

In this new lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, singer Jackson Browne claims that the presumptive Republican nominee violated his copyright by using his song, "Running on Empty," in a campaign commercial that targeted Democratic nominee Barack Obama's energy plan.

Browne says that throughout his career, he "has closely associated himself with liberal causes and Democratic political candidates." The singer adds that he is bringing this action "to vindicate an egregious, intentional false association" that suggests Browne endorses McCain.

Browne also points to the McCain campaign's alleged prior misappropriation of songs, including Warner Music Group's complaints that McCain used Franki Vallie songs without permission. John Mellencamp and (McCain all-time favorite) ABBA have also complained.

The complaint was filed by Lawrence Iser at Kinsella Weitzman in Santa Monica.