Ad uses song without permission

Friday, Oct. 15, 2004 | 10:52 a.m.

A song usually heard on classic rock radio stations is now getting airtime on local television stations.

Unfortunately, the Buffalo Springfield's 1967 hit "For What It's Worth" is being used for a local politician's campaign without permission. The ad pairs the song's catchy lyric, "There's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear... I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound, everybody look what's going down" with images of traffic-choked streets.

Assemblyman David Goldwater, whose ad uses the song, is calling for slower growth to protect the quality of life in Clark County. He concludes the ad by saying he doesn't want to see Las Vegas turn into Los Angeles.

Goldwater said Thursday that he does not have the licensing rights to use the song.

"We're in the business of asking for forgiveness," he said.

Goldwater said that if he received a complaint, he would pull the ad.

"We don't have explicit permission but I think Buffalo Springfield would certainly support my candidacy," he said.

Gerry Tolman, a manager for Stephen Stills, the song's composer and a rock star from his days as a solo artist and member of Crosby, Stills and Nash, said Goldwater might be right.

He said Stills has in the past allowed progressive politicians to use his songs. Tolman added, however, that those deals should be worked out in advance.

The use of this particular song, "For What It's Worth," has been an issue in the past.

"It's happened several times with that song," Tolman said.

The use of a song can be expensive and complicated to negotiate. Although Stills owns the copyright on the words, the song itself belongs to a number of artists and companies, Tolman said. The cost of using such a song can, on a national basis, run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Deals for the use of songs "vary from case to case," he said. "It can require a fairly extensive negotiation."

When informed that Goldwater is using the song in the political ad, Tolman said he would be in contact with the Democrat, who is running against incumbent Republican Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald.

"I'm sure we'll work it out with him," Tolman said.

Goldwater, who has taken issue with Boggs McDonald's advertising targeting his record, said, "At least it's a positive ad."

"If Lynette Boggs McDonald is allowed to lie about me and my record, then I should be allowed to use Buffalo Springfield's song."