The Smiley Smile Message Board

Hi everyone - I haven't posted in a long time but I am here alot - anyway see this little tidbit from today's news - Other than making any snarky comments about the "sue" factor and the Beach Boys - I remember thinking when this song came out that it was awfully close to plaguerism - Don't mess with my BW!


[http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/beach_boys_vs_katy_gurls_PP7YxCik3Vv329HgOWvkJM] 
 

 

Once I heard the Snoop part and saw no writing credit to Wilson/Love, I was wondering when something like this would happen.  Given Katy/Snoop used the most famous line of the song word for word, and with the copyright law protecting lyrics, I'd imagine the Beach Boys might have a shot at this one.  

What??? It's a reference to "California Girls", and it's one frigging line, at that. A spoken reference, nothing more, and the idea of anyone suing anyone over this is absolutely outrageous and absurd.

So, so incredibly lame, and it's also lame that anyone here would side with the logic that they should be sued over this. "Awfully close to plagiarism"? Come on.

Brian got it right when he said he thought it was cool that they referenced his song. It doesn't need to be taken any further than that. If anything, Mike should be happy that a little light was shed on their ancient little song to a generation that either couldn't care less about them or laughs at them.

Absolutely sickening.

Try reading the article again, this time properly. No, wait, I'll save you the effort...

"Although sources told us that Wilson and Love asked Rondor to take action, reps for both musicians claimed it was Rondor's idea. Wilson's rep said, "Rondor owns the track and called Brian and Mike, saying they were going to complain. Brian likes Katy's record and doesn't know where the situation stands." Love's rep said, "Mike and Brian wrote the song . . . but any legal action is up to Rondor."

Oh... no... wait... of course, how could I be so stupid - it's obvious. Mike called Rondor and said "hey, you call me and I'll act all surprised... better call Brian too, make it more plausible". Yeah - that's what happened.

Seriously, this assumption that Mike had to have something to do with it is what I'd expect on A. N. Other board, but not here. You're saying Brian's and Mike's people are in cahoots over this ? Time you got friggin' real.

Christ almighty - you freak out and then basically accuse me of being stupid. That was necessary.

Sorry, I misread part of it. No need to go ape waste on me over this - the rest of my post is more the cause for concern than that part, anyway.

Original post is edited - sorry again.

Rediculous to sue over that song.  Money hungry assholes. 

I 'freaked out' because I tend to imbue my fellow man with the ability to read and comprehend their native language. You made a statement that was directly contradicted by quotes in the article and prompted purely by your evident dislike of Mike Love. I expected better of you, and of this board.

No problems at all with Mike other than the few times he's done/said things that were almost undeniably wrong/stupid. Again, I misread part of the article and had thought it was stated that Mike basically got the ball rolling on this. Don't try to tell me you've never once misread or misinterpreted something - it happens.

Nope, done that plenty times, enough to a) make me look dumb and b) ensure I never do it again if possible.

I've read several news accounts this morning and they seem to be confused about Rondor's function. Rondor manages the music publishing rights to "California Girls," doesn't it? This type of lawsuit isn't personal, it's about copyright protection.

None of the articles seems to notice that Capitol Records has the bulk of the BB's catalog, which means it's in their vested interest to protect both "California Girls" and "California Gurls." Out-of-court settlement, anyone?

Taking an initial glance at the article and seeing reps/publicists making statements, it seems understandable to question them.  Of course, "sources told us that Wilson and Love asked Rondor to take action" isn't necessarily much to go on either.  This IS from a gossip column.

Would be great if they won haha

The Beach Boys have leased the rights to their back catalog 1966-1996 to Capitol long-term, but Rondor control the publishing, thus Capitol have no real interest in the matter. Technically, neither do Mike and/or Brian as thanks to Murry they've not had a whiff of the publishing bucks since November 1969.

Rondor??? I thought Irving-Almo controlled the publishing rights ever since Murry's 1969 deal...unless Rondor bought Irving or something.

Mike and Brian could be due royalties though if it was decided Perry et al are in violation, right? Apparently Brian and Mike aren't concerned.

Rondor was/is the parent company of A&M, of which Irving/Almo is the publishing arm.

Is that like that thing from Star Wars that...um..oh...that's a RANCOR...

STEELBREEZE154060 on YouTube says "THE BEACH BOYS NEED TO GET A LIFE AND LEAVE HER ALONE"

For shame.

Next up on the legal battlefield I would like to inform the SS board of unconfirmed rumors that Mike Love will be suing Mike Love for plagiarism and for persistant use of quoting names of classic Beach Boys songs in his lyrics such as "Fun,fun,fun", "I get around", "Surfin' USA", "Good Vibrations" and "Do it again" to name but a few.

 :hat :hat :hat :hat

Who controls the stuff from 1961-'65?

There's an easy solution to all of this. Katy could make it up to Brian by bringing him in for a duet on "Smart Gurls" !

Errr... Capitol ?

Damn...I was going to guess "Chuck Norris"...

Well, it looks like nobody's suing now, according to a story on ET Online.

------------------
http://www.etonline.com/news/2010/08/89839/

Exclusive: Beach Boys Are Not Suing Katy Perry

Beach Boy Mike Love is speaking out exclusively to ET about reports that the iconic band was suing Katy Perry over her chart-topping song "California Gurls."

"The Beach Boys are definitely not suing Katy Perry," Love tells ET. "In fact, we are flattered that her fantastically successful song is bringing to mind to millions of people our 1965 recording of the Beach Boys' 'California Girls.' We think her song is great and wish her all the success in the world."

Meanwhile, a rep for Rondor Music, Brian Wilson and Love's publisher, reaffirmed that they are not suing but added that they have, in fact, taken some action on the topic. "In regard to the various rumors circulating, we would like to make it clear that there is no lawsuit against the writers or publishers of 'California Gurls.' We have established diminutive claim. It is up to the six writers and various publishers of 'California Gurls' to decide whether they honor the claim or not," the rep told ET.

"Using the words or melody in a new song taken from an original work is not appropriate under any circumstances, particularly one as well known and iconic as 'California Girls.' Rondor Music, who publishes the works of Brian Wilson and Mike Love, is committed to protecting the rights of its artists and songwriters, and with the support of the writers, that is exactly what we are doing," the rep added.

Thank God. Again, I don't see why people supported this idea.

:lol !

They should of went through with it.

I hate Katy Perry for some reason..

Oh yeah, because she's not my girlfriend...

I hate her because she's fucking Russell Brand and not me.

Lawyers, chime in.  My lawyereasedecoder doesn't always work right, but are they saying that they sent a letter to Katy saying

"Hey Woman.  I know you wrote that song with Snoop and a bunch of other people, and it's done really well, so throw us a bone.  If you don't want to, that's aight, but I'll remember that"

?

Don't you mean "fodaing'" ?? And just be glad it's Russell Brand and not Russell Crowe!!

The whole business reminds me of when Morris Levy (IIRC) sued John Lennon for using the Chuck Berry line from You Can't Catch Me "Here come ol' flat top he come grooving up..." on Come Together. John lost.

Lennon also used the melody in the verses

Is Katy really getting banged by that dickwad Russell Brand?  I find that rather bizzare.

What does "We have established diminutive claim. " mean?

I think (again, I asked for clarification but nobody spoke up yet) that they mean that they claim a small piece of the song, and want compensation but aren't going to force the issue if the writers feel that they don't deserve it. I think it's a way of saying "we know legally your work isn't derivative enough to warrant a lawsuit, but we think you should pay us a little bit since you admit the idea came from us". 

Of course i'm just talking out my ass, we need a lawyer to clarify.

What a waste of legal time...

Brian doesn't know about "California gurls"  :lol
http://kearth101.radio.com/2010/08/17/brian-wilson-visits-the-morning-show/#more-18748 (http://kearth101.radio.com/2010/08/17/brian-wilson-visits-the-morning-show/#more-18748)

When are they suing Paul McCartney for Back in the USSR?

Whenever the Moscow girls form a feminist alliance against the capitalist pig dogs of the US  ;D

Nah, I get what you mean.

I called it.  Just sayin'.  When they released that quote, I brought up the fact that Brian had probably never heard the song, and everybody told me I was crazy.  Of course though since Brian lives in Bizarroland sometimes, he could have actually heard the song, and THIS interview is backwards.  You never know which ones backwards.  Tricky guy he is. 

Didn't you know? Mike practically wrote the whole thing.   ;)