Megaupload recently funded a song that features popular artists singing its praises. The artists, independent of their labels, signed agreements with the file sharing service to appear on the track. The song released on YouTube, grew in popularity, and was promptly removed due to a complaint by Universal. The only problem is that Universal is not the owner of the song and does not control the rights to it.
The promo, The Mega Song, features P Diddy, Will.i.am, Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Macy Gray, Chris Brown, The Game, and Mary J Blige cashing in on their endorsements. Even Lil Jon throws in a “YEA.” If not for its promoting a file-sharing service, the video would hardly be newsworthy. Filled with cringe-worthy lines like “M-E-G-A, send me a file today,” it’s nothing more than four minutes of repetitive marketing set to music.
Yet Universal thinks it has the authority to remove the song. It’s possible that one or more of these artists has a contractual agreement to seek Universal’s permission for such a promo. Megaupload doesn’t think so: the company is suing Universal for the illegitimate copyright takedown. Its founder, Kim Dotcom, believes that it was an attempt to sabotage the campaign.
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