I love Bonjovi, his songs and all, but when he put down the Republican Party, I felt so down, I feel like I want to get away from you and your songs. Stay as you are, do not side any political parties…not all of your fans are democrats…

I agree with Unhappy. I like Bon Jovi songs but if this causes them to be upset I’ll place my vote and not buy any Bon Jovi stuff. It doesn’t mean I’m Republican, it just means I’m tired of “stars” thinking their opinion is more important than the rest of us. As far as their music goes, if Bon Jovi and the rest of their ilk feel that strongly about it, why don’t they have “Democrats Only” printed on their CDs, etc.? I haven’t asked either of the parties to show up on my TV set with all their ads but there they are, invading my space. Yes, I can turn my TV off and so can Bon Jovi. It takes both political parties, as bad as they each can be, to keep things in balance.

Jeez, I am about sick of everyone complaining about artists who don’t want their music used for political themes. Just because Jon Bon supports Obama and you support McCain, don’t hate Jon Bon, he is entitled to an opinion and if that opinion doesn’t match yours, it’s okay, you can still listen to Bon Jovi, the world will not end. That being said, I don’t support Obama, or even like Bon Jovi’s music, but give the guy a break.

So beef jerky, Jon Bon can complain but the rest of us can’t? You’re right that the world won’t end if I listen to his music. It won’t end if I don’t listen to his music either. You’re sick of complaining, I’m tired of “stars” whining. We might all be overloaded with current events causing us to be disgruntled ourselves. Ain’t life grand?

So people like Unhappy and Exactly like theft of intellectual property just fine, so long as it’s their guy doing the stealing? No wonder this country is in the mess it’s in! Obviously, anything really is OK if you’re a Republican.

Sickening.

Cry me a river! This is the best publicity that a washed up rockstar can get. What is he complaining about? His songs weren’t that good anyway. What makes these stars think that they have any idea of how govt works. Most of them are drug addicts or alcoholics and have had no exposure to real life (work, taxes, stretching a budget, raising a family). Look at Madonna – what a role model…and she wants to threaten Palin…give me a break.

I believe that the creater of music has an absolute right to demand that the music not be utilized to promote an organization or cause. If Palin is using a Bon Jovi song, the public assumes that Bon Jovi supports Palin (and the Republican party) and granted her permission to use the song. This is obviously not true. To the folks who are giving Bon Jovi a hard time, how would you feel if someone whom you do not support utilized your words, name, etc. to imply that you supported them? I would be fighting mad!

I plan on starting my own sewer inspection business and just like I wouldn’t want anyone else stealing my sewer manuals and my knowledge of how to unclog feces from a drain pipe, so does Bon Jovi have a right to complain about the McCain team stealing his music to promote the Republican party. We work hard at what we do and can’t just give away our expertise to others for selfish reasons. No one wants their hard earned money and knowledge flushed down the drain.

Everyone has the right to say how and when their words/work is used.

GO BON JOVI!

if the Rolling Stone article had been titled or started with “Bon Jovi Disgruntled over Intellectual Property Rights Violation” the comments would be more balanced. Instead, Rolling Stone chose to give the article an anti-Republican slant. Politics and intellectual property rights are two different issues. If you don’t think they are two different issues, then the comment about labeling CDs and works with party affiliation should be required.

Agreed, this is a horribly slanted article, but some of you seem to missing the point. Bon Jovi contends that the GOP failed to get clearance or make arrangements that would have allowed them to legitimately use Bon Jovi’s copyrighted works during a public event. As it stands, Bon Jovi will not receive any form of monetary compensation for the use of the song by the GOP.

This is, in fact, copyright infringement. Radio stations, bars, even birthday parties these days are required to make arrangements with ASCAP, or some other organization, to ensure that when an artist’s work is played at a public event that artist will receive some form of compensation.

This seems to be a recurring problem with the GOP – they should know better by now.

To the individuals who are complaining about Bon Jovi having the temerity to complain about an unauthorized performance of his copyrighted work without receiving any compensation – Should he just let anyone play his works at any time? Why does it hurt your feelings that he doesn’t want the GOP to play his works? Why are you conflating the issue of compensation for public performance of copyrighted works with your ideological political agenda?

I suspect that you are small-minded and not familiar with logic or reason – typical ignorant internet trolls – haha!

BON JOVI SHUT THE HELL UP WITH YOUR 2BIT SONG.NO ONE EVEN THINKS YOU SUPPORT THE REPUBLICANS UNLESS YOUR DUMBASS BRINGS IT UP.WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE.YOU AND YOUR BOY RINGO STAR NEED TO TAKE A FREAKING HIKE.YA LL ARE LIKE A TURD THAT JUST WONT FLUSH! TAKE A HIKE!

Give me a break Greyladybast! I am an independent..I don’t agree with most of the rubish that both parties put out. That said, the Democratic party is the biggest hypocrite of all! They claim to be the party of acceptance and tolerance but that only extends to those who are like minded! You have views that are different and the hate spews out. An example is the situation with Obama and Rev. Wright. If the shoe was on the other foot I am sure the left would be calling for McCain to resign as Senator and drop out of the race…Racist association with a church and all. Both parties are full of crap but give me a break!

Isn’t it amazing that by seeing the Artists whine sways my opinion even farther from their cause. How much did Bon Jovi make off the Republican candidate’s using of his material? It seems he wasn’t aware it was being used. Madonna? Good luck, you’ll need it.

Bon Jovi needs to write more hits so his “wealth” can be spread to those who can’t sing, Or actors who make millions on a movie, Or professional athletes with multi-million dollar contracts, let’s share the wealth to those without talent what-so-ever.

I can’t believe they slanted this article to appear as if Bon Jovi was just some bitter guy whining about copyright infringement. Unbelievable. This is a big deal and if Bon Jovi is saying that GOP did not get authorization for usage of his music, then I believe them. It would totally be in character for the arrogant Palin camp to disregard his rights and proceed. That is her MO, clearly. I hope he takes legal action.

Wow, Jon Bon Jovi is whining and really making an a*s of him self. But I don’t see anyone stopping the paparazzi from invading peoples privacy which is ten times worse. But, hey…the media and paparazzi are on Obama’s side. So when you gain from garbage, you call it gold. Stop whining Jon, know one thinks for a minute that you are a republican, and know really cares also.

If copyrighted infringements are violated then you are STEALING from somebody else. IF these is what these Republicans teach to their own kids (piracy). No wonder why all these CEOs are stealing from everybody, How they are planning to control a government when they could no longer restrain themselves from from doing DISHONEST activities.

Bon Jovi never said the Republicans did not have clearance to play the song. The Republicans have clearance to play the song. They went through the proper channels and now they play the songs. This is just stupid. I suppose he only wants Democrats to listen to the radio stations he is on as well. Give me a break.

….did it become taboo for musicians to have opinions about politics? No tradition there, right? Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, The Beatles, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, The Clash, Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, U2. In THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, you have the right to express your opinion. Jon Bon Jovi has expressed his opinion about how he wants his music used. The real issue is not how it is used but HOW THE ARTISTS AND SONGS INTENT IS INTERPRETED. Every single person posting on this blog knows that the reason the Republican Party uses these songs is because it gives the impression subconsciously to their brain-dead constituents that the artist is supporting them. When you are at a rally and you hear an anthem-type song, it elicits a certain kind of primal resonse from the crowd. The Republicans and Democrats both do it. I just don’t see anyone complaining about the Democrats doing it. Does that mean they are smart enough to ask the artists? It would appear to be that way.

I’m sorry Palin even wanted to use anything from a whiney ass, overpaid, and totally irrelevant person such as Bonny Jov.
RS—you guys need your blog filter checked—it is really slanted

I can’t agree more with Unhappy…being a Bon Jovi fan, buying their music, attending their concerts, and then to have it all change is rather disheartening. Just because I will proudly vote for Sen. McCain means I’m not included in your fan base when you wrote the song?

anyone can sing and post a song ANYwhere they want to! how ridiculous. i am no longer a bonjovi fan, i destroyed every thing i ever had of his. dont he know this only promotes Mccains cause? how sad that he bacame such an idiot self righteous arrogant CREEP!

First and foremost just because Bonjovi is speaking up about the use of his music an I say HIS MUSIC he can say what he wants. People keep the fuck over it. Stealing is Stealing point and simple is what we are teaching our children. Come on

Unauthorized use of copyrighted material is a crime.

Artists like the rest of us are free to espouse their political views.

One more comment and I am out. Jackson Browne has filed a lawsuit against John McCain after the Republican presidential candidate used a portion of Browne’s “Running On Empty” in a campaign commercial without permission. The Republican National Party is also listed in the suit. Other artists who have come out in the media and asked that McCain-Palin stop the unauthorized use of their music: Heart, Boston, John Mellencamp and Foo Fighters.

I don’t understand for the life of me why so many people in Hollywood with so much money would want to vote Democrat?? I mean if the guy is complaining about his songs being played and not making royalties on it, then won’t he really complain when he has to “re-distribute” his wealth?? I hope that normal Americans aren’t falling for the crap that liberal Hollywood throws out there, as if behind their gated mansions they really gave a crap about the rest of us!

I don’t understand for the life of me why so many people in Hollywood with so much money would want to vote Democrat?? I mean if the guy is complaining about his songs being played and not making royalties on it, then won’t he really complain when he has to “re-distribute” his wealth?? I hope that normal Americans aren’t falling for the crap that liberal Hollywood throws out there, as if behind their gated mansions they really gave a crap about the rest of us!

Bon Jovi needs to remember, since his song was written for ‘those who have supported us over the past 25 years,’ that includes people who don’t support Obama. Jon has always been smart about not preaching his politics from his stage. It has always been a strong point for him and he shouldn’t blow that now.
What most articles about his Obama fundraiser fail to mention is that neither he, or the Obama campaign, footed the bill for the extra, local security needed for the event. That bill fell to local taxpayers. In the words of my brilliant little nephew “That there is some BS!”
To answer a previous question posted: malematized | 10/17/2008, 12:51 pm EST

I don’t understand for the life of me why so many people in Hollywood with so much money would want to vote Democrat??

The answer? Because they can AFFORD to.

Hey,Librarian Todd, are you a lawyer? Didn’t think so. I’m playing every Bon Jovi song ever written at my “rally for dumbasses” and you’re invited.

“McCain campaign maintains that they have made the necessary clearances for use of songs by Foo Fighters, Heart and others.”

This remind anyone else of that villain in Iron Man? “Just because you have an idea you think it belongs to you?”

Yeah, how dare these artists, who’s careers live or die by their reputations, want ANY sort of say over what use their creative work is put to.

If you want to complain about copyright infringement why don’t you ask Barack Obama why he made Shepard Fairey his official campaign artist. Fairey has violated many protected works during his career. Obama’s choice in Fairey proves that he does not care about the rights of artists!Even the iconic Hope print is a knockoff of another artists work.

McCain did not hand pick these song and his people had the rights to use them! So that is different. Maybe if these artist did not want their music used they should have kept all of the rights to them? In every case the Republicans bought the rights to use the songs from companies who have the right to sell them for specific uses. In most cases they have been nice enough to stop using the songs even though legally they did not have to.

So ask Obama why he supports Shepar Fairey’s career and why he picked him to endorse his campaign with visual rhetoric. Do some research about Shepard Fairey and the artists he has stolen from like Rene Mederos! Who was a true revolutionary!

Are you kidding me!?? Bon Jovi certainly does have every right to ask them NOT to use his music.. Becaus he is a democrat has nothing to do with copyright laws.. You people that are no longer a fan because of this are losing not him.. Also he is not a washed up, whining rock star as some of you have implied..Get a grip on the real world..

For all of you a-holes out there that are trashing Bon Jovi because he doesn’t want McCain-Palin to use his songs get a grip. The songs belong to him and he can say what he pleases. Just because he is voting for the right candidate and you are not. You need to stop complaining and hating. Now who sounds like a bunch of whiney ass bitches. Get a grip. I wish you would wake up and smell the coffee. If McC ain gets into office we are going to go to war with Iran. I think it is time for us to stop worrying about other countries and take care of our own. The only reason you don’t want Obama in office is because he is black. Plain and simple. Once you admit this then you can get over your old ass bigotry ways. I wish I could meet some of you and talk about this more.

Obama’s skin color had nothing to do with me note voting for him. I knew that he was just another liar from Illinois and I knew his position on war would change. He is already prepared to send 20,000 more to Iraq and has threatend Iran three times in the last six months. Just wait until he gets in office. His color had nothing to do with me being wary of him.

I saw him say recently on the Bio channel that Al Gore was the smartest man he’d ever met. Ha! You’ve got to be kidding! My estimation of Jonny-boy dropped about 1000% after he made that dumbass comment.