MGMT have accepted a settlement fee to bring to an end their copyright tussle with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The vowel-phobic Brooklynites had threatened to sue Sarkozy’s UPM party after they used hit single ‘Kids’ in online campaign ads and at their national congress in January – ironically at a time when they were cracking down on internet piracy.
But after initially being offered just 1€ as a symbolic gesture from the UPM, the duo have instead settled for something in the region of 30,000€ (approx. £26,759) which they’ve donated to artists’ rights organisations.
"Normally MGMT steers clear of mixing music and politics,” began a statement from the band, “but the fact that the UMP French political party used our song without permission while simultaneously pushing anti-piracy legislation seemed a little wack."
"We didn’t want to be ‘typical Americans’ and sue, despite the amazing monetary benefit and chinchilla coats and Navigators it would bring. Instead we’re using the settlement fee the UMP presented and donating it to artists’ rights organizations. Thank you France for the wonderful food. C’est bon."
