The Lion and The Mouse

[liadnan]

From Mike Knell and originally from a Guardian story the fascinating tale of Solomon Linda, the original writer of Mbube, the song that went on to become famous as The Lion Sleeps Tonight/Wimoweh. Linda signed away the rights and died in poverty, in which condition his descendants remain, but now they're chasing Disney (re The Lion King and just for starters) for rather a lot of money under a British-era South African statute.

Intellectual property isn't really my thing, so I pretend to no legal analysis. But I'd agree with Mike's comment that if "the Mouse has any morals at all, Disney will simply do the right thing and pay up without needing to be taken to court". I'd also add that if they have anyone working for them with a hint about public relations they'll do the same.

In the meantime I'm simply enjoying the concept of Mickey and Donald being attached.

Comments

[eccles.livejournal.com]

Interesting little old law. I'd never heard of it. Would it not also depend on the contract which sold the rights to the studio? I always find it grating when some unknown pops up after something becomes really successful (ie. profitable) and claims to have been ripped off. This one seems to have a well documented history though.

[liadnan]

In general I agree with you, but people notoriously do sign away rights for 3 beans and a farthing of George IV, and although I don't know anything about this legislation, if as the article indicates signing everything away was common practice there and then, I wouldn't be remotely surprised to find this was a piece of protective legislation designed to alleviate that, so why shouldn't they take advantage of it? As you say this seems to have a well-documented history, and if everything is indeed as the story indicates then irrespective of the law I think the justice seems to be with the writer's family.
It would be different if this were some kind of innovative work, he'd signed away everything and taken the cash, and they'd had the risk of making nothing (kind of like buying an option). Which is rarely going to apply to music.

[ex-quixotick955.livejournal.com]

I *love* that Linda's family can hold Disney's South African copyrights of hostage! HA! But I highly doubt that Disney will "do the right thing", as they are notorious for doing anything but. I'm sure Disney will find a way to weasel out of this one. Since I do not personally know the CEO or anyone particularly higher up in the chain of command, all of the people that I *do* know that work for Disney (from their theme parks to their animation studios) are seriously unhappy with Herr Mouse.

[liadnan]

I must admit I take a certain wicked glee in the thougt of Disney, for once, being on the other side of the argument: poetic justice in a way.

[fi.livejournal.com]

Bizarrely, Greece is re-running Friends at the moment, and just showed an episode where the cast, rather disturbingly, sings that song. Hmmm.

[liadnan]

Oooh I remember that episode. I imagine they'll be on the list too then, as are lots of people.
Mike notes that on Automatic for the People REM credit it to Abilene Music Inc, so they've asserted rights in the past.
Actually I don't like the song and The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight is the only version I find tolerable.

[fairymelusine.livejournal.com]

If 'the Mouse' had any morals at all, he/they would stop insisting that THE ENTIRETY OF COPYRIGHT LAW** (http://homepages.law.asu.edu/~dkarjala/OpposingCopyrightExtension/commentary/ChiTrib10-17-98.html) be designed around them. Ahem. This has angered me for YEARS.



**Okay, just the term of copyright protection. But that's a freakin' lot, no?

[liadnan]

Not to mention trademarking Mickey, and coming down like a ton of bricks on every primary school production that so much as looks at some of their stuff sideways.

[joffstar.livejournal.com]

Another unusual musical use of TLST is an odd semi-cover of the song in a vaguely samba style by They Might Be Giants. And there's a reggae version I've got somewhere too.

Oh, and it's in my head now. FOREVER. Cheers.

(Altogether now: AaaaahAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaa WIMOWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH)

[susumu.livejournal.com]

3D Joff is a scary sight. What game are you in?

[fairymelusine.livejournal.com]

It WASN'T in my head 'til you started singing.

ARGH.

[liadnan]

Phenomenon, by the Muppets, is bound to kill any other earworm.

I never said the cure was better than the problem.

[fairymelusine.livejournal.com]

Aren't we helpful?

(did you go out in the storm?)

[liadnan]

Yes. I shall have a cold tomorrow, you mark my words.

[fairymelusine.livejournal.com]

Ew. Summer colds.

I gotta say - there are few things that make me happier than splashing about in a rainstorm. Basically, in my soul of souls, I'm six years old, always and forever.

I also like the smell of crayons.