Jackson Browne Settles With McCain & Republican Party

Jackson Browne has settled his lawsuit with the Ohio Republican Party, the Republican National Committee and Senator John McCain over their use of Browne's song Running on Empty in campaign ads. Browne asserted that the use of the song required a license which he did not grant to the parties and that they were liable for copyright infringement, false endorsement under the United States Lanham Act and violation of Mr. Browne's right of publicity for the use of his voice.

The terms of the settlement were not announced.

The three defendants issued the following statement:

We apologize that a portion of the Jackson Browne song Running On Empty was used without permission. Although Senator McCain had no knowledge of, or involvement in, the creation or distribution of the web campaign video, Senator McCain does not support or condone any actions taken by anyone involved in his 2008 presidential election campaign that were inconsistent with artists' rights or the various legal protections afforded to intellectual property. The ORP, RNC and Senator McCain pledge in future election campaigns to respect and uphold the rights of artists and to obtain permissions and/or licenses for copyrighted works where appropriate.

Browne told Billboard that "I'm really happy that we got this statement from them. It's great to have it affirmed that these laws stand. I've had an idea of how my songs are protected and how money is collected and how making a living as a musician works for my whole career, and it's great to have it affirmed and to know that we're absolutely right in standing up to them."