‘Damn ugly’ golf shirts: Bill Murray blasted by Doobie Brothers in viral copyright letter
An attorney for the Doobie Brothers shows how humor can be a powerful too to resolve disputes.
Actor Bill Murray is in hot water with the Doobie Brothers for using their 1972 hit “Listen to the Music” in commercials without the band’s permission. Normally, such disputes result in a quiet legal settlement—but not this time.
Instead, the Doobie Brothers’ lawyer scolded Murray in a short, hilarious letter that calls out the “Ghostbusters” and “Caddyshack” star for copyright infringement, but also lampoons his questionable acting decisions and fashion choices.
The letter, which was first reported by the Hollywood reporter, has gone viral on Twitter:
In the missive, Doobie Brothers attorney Peter Paterno tells Murray he can’t be bothered to look up the relevant copyright statute, but adds the actor already knows he can’t use music in ads without permission. Paterno also chides by Murray by saying the only person more inclined to do this is President Donald Trump—who recently caused a flap for using Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” against the wishes of the songwriter’s estate.
The lawyer goes on to suggest Murray faces “damnation” for his role in the box office bomb “Garfield.” And in final jab, Paterno says the band would be inclined to forgive Murray using their song to sell his line of Zero Hucks Given golf shirts—if the shirts weren’t “so damn ugly.”
The letter concludes by telling Murray in French “to pay.” The actor has yet to issue a public response to complaint but, for now, it appears the Doobie Brothers’ attorney has more than earned his money.
More must-read finance coverage from Fortune:
- Investors are pulling money out of U.S. equities and betting on Europe. Is it time to follow their lead?
- Feds’ “stablecoin” letter may boost crypto ambitions of Facebook, Square
- From bailout debacle to global dominance: Inside the turnaround at UBS
- The world’s biggest hedge fund is working from tents in the forest during the COVID pandemic
- One pandemic, two recoveries: New Yorkers are three times more likely to be jobless than Nebraskans