Eminem lawsuit against New Zealand political party begins

A New Zealand court hears opening arguments in a copyright trial taken by Eminem’s music publishers against the National Party, the county’s largest political party. A judge and nine lawyers listen to Lose Yourself, the track that the publishers claim was used on a 2014 political ad without permission. The party has previously said it purchased the track through an Australian-based supplier and doesn’t believe it has infringed anyone’s copyright. Eminem’s lawyers tell the court that the National Party had wanted a song that was edgy and modern but showed the party was dependable, and quoted from National Party emails, which described the song as an Eminem “sound-alike,” and said:

I guess the question we’re asking, if everyone thinks it’s Eminem, and it’s listed as Eminem Esque, how can we be confident that Eminem doesn’t say we’re ripping him off?

Eminem’s lawyers say that the artist does not allow his music to be used for political purposes of any kind. The trial is expected to last six days.