Eminem sues Apple

It's a rap

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 24th February 2004 16:08 GMT

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Eminem's publishing company claims Apple used one of his songs in a TV ad without the hip-hop star's "yo!"

The Mac maker now faces a copyright infringement lawsuit, don'cha know.

Eminem's publisher, Eight Mile Style, filed the suit this past Friday.

Also named are MTV and Apple's ad agency, TBWA Chiat Day.

The song in question, "Lose Yourself", was rapped out by a ten-year-old in an iTunes Music Store commercial shown on MTV last summer.

"Lose Yourself" was the theme song to the movie Eight Mile, which starred Eminem and is based on his life story. The critics called it a "hummer".

Now after Eight Mile, you have to file, then it comes to trial, there's no denial.

"Eminem has never nationally endorsed any commercial products and... even if he were interested in endorsing a product, any endorsement deal would require a significant amount of money, possibly in excess of $10m," the lawsuit states, putting a figure on the kind of money it wants to get out of Apple and co.

Eight Mile Style appears to have attempted to negotiate a resolution, to the complaint with Apple, but those talks broke down with no solution.

The lawsuit claims Apple CEO Steve Jobs called Eight Mile Style chief Joel Martin and asked him to "rethink" the company's position.

Get Jobs on the blower, he says it's a no go-er, won't settle 'til Hell freezes over.

At the time of writing, dozens of Eminem songs were available for download from iTunes Music Store. ®