Aussie Court Rules Against Men At Work
Men At Work is involved in a new a legal dispute. HollywoodReporter.com states that a Federal Court judge in Australia ruled on Thursday that the '80s band had lifted portions their breakthrough hit "Down Under" from another song. Judge Peter Jacobson said the rockers pulled a "substantial part" of their signature song from the campfire tune "Kookaburra Sits In The Old Gum Tree." The judge added that "Kookaburra's" publisher Larrikin Music Publishing may now pursue damages from songwriters Colin Hay and Ron Strykert, as well as from Men At Work's record label. Larrikin first initiated compensation proceedings in 2008 against Hay, Strykert, EMI Songs Australia, and EMI Publishing Australia. "Down Under" was recorded for Men At Work's 1981 LP, "Business As Usual." The song hit number one on the U.S., British, and Australian charts. |