“That’s a nice song, I think I’ll steal it…”
In much of the world, stealing music is quite common - people will hear a song and download a version or otherwise obtain it without paying for it. In the Balkans, theft is taken to an entirely different level. Local artists actually release their own versions of popular songs and profit from them. It is so common that people often make a game out of trying to find the original version of popular songs.
A lot of the time the theft is blatantly obvious. Take, for example, these three versions of the same song:
Or these two examples of the same song:
Or this one:
Other times it is less obvious but still readily noticable. Artists seem to take more care to make the songs less recognizable if the original is American or otherwise very well known around the world. This song, for example, is clearly copied from Shakira's "La Tortura" even if it isn't as obvious as the previous examples:
This isn't a new development, it has been happening for decades. Take this copy of the famous American song "Let's Twist Again":
Old Navy v/s Converge (UPDATE-no rip)
YTWWN SAYS: Yes there is a likeness, but definitely 2 different source images. I think the old navy one could be Edie sedgwick?
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Old Navy's version available on their website
This Old Navy shirt available on their website bares a striking resemblance to the band Converge's Jane Doe record cover and tshirt artwork which was created by the bands singer and visual artist Jacob Bannon.
Converge/Bannon's original artwork
Eden, creators of FlashDen, and PSDtuts gets ripped off
I was surfing the other day and came across this neat css designed website for this hot new company formally called Eden, now known as Envato.
Then I was like.. hey.. that looks similar to a portfolio site I just saw. Interesting...
Envato gets ripped off by RBMethod.com
**update:
Apparently Seaxon gets mildly ripped off as well, with rb's same design.
Deaxon gets ripped off
And as well, I was driving through the MN recently and found the exact same logo from RB's site on some huge building in Minniapolis. I didn't have a camera with me at the time, and tried finding it online later - but was unsucessful. But I did find another one quite similar.
Rick Benjamin gets ripped off as well
Imitation Of Life.
Televisa (Mexico) is ripping off R.E.M.'s video of "Imitation Of Life", for their Beijin 2008 campaign:
Televisa Deportes Rumbo a Beijin 2008.
R.E.M. - \"Imitation Of Life\".
LInk.
DJ Misjah ripped off by DJ Supermarkt
DJ Misjah's track 'What Is', released on his own label ReRun, Net's Work International and Craft Music in June 2007
DJ Misjah - What Is (Fourth track down in the player, click to listen)
Remix of The Bird & The Bee 'Fucking Boyfriend'
Click on the line at the top that says THE BIRD AND THE BEE - Fucking Boyfriend (Supermarkt shredmix)
It'll take you to a zshare.net pagewith an audio file, you can listen to it and download it too.
Misjah's response on his MySpace blog
Not a remix, not asked for permission, Misjah's not even credited. DJ Supermarkt says on his blog "berlin battery exclusive: i did this shredmix (something between a remix, an edit, a mashup or something else...) for great UK duo The Bird and the Bee. It's quite an electro/nu-ravebomb, i must say. Tested it to great results..."
DJ Supermarkt even has it on his player on his MySpace page titled 'fuckingboyfriendsupermarktrmx'
Coors Light (Yet Again) vs Flight of the Conchords
vs
Seems like Coors really have run out of ideas in their advertising department recently. I don't feel like I need to explain it, just watch the two videos. Its like Sugar Puffs vs Mighty Boosh all over again!
Justice doesn’t get any justice from Coors Light.
I'm a big fan of Justice, and my girlfriend recently discovered something that rips them off blatantly. But first, a bit of background.
Coors Light is a pretty big brand in Puerto Rico, and has been so for a few years now. For some reason, people in this island love to drink the watered down crap that Coors dares call "light beer" (although, lately, they're not #1 anymore, thankfully!). The brand is always trying to associate itself with the latest trends, and in PR, that means that now they're all about the rock and roll. Some genius came up with the idea of organizing a big "indie" music festival and invite a couple of big-name latin rock artists to play with a few local bands, and then charge people a truckload for the entrance. They way things usually are around these parts, chances are the place was packed (the event was on the 24th of May).
What I hadn't noticed, though (since I don't watch a whole lot of TV, much less the local variety), was that the TV ad announcing the event completely ripped off Justice's D.A.N.C.E. video. You can see the ad at their website. Unfortunately, I can't link directly to the video, as their site is flash-based and requires you to enter your birthdate before letting you in. If you do want to see it, though, once you get in, click on "TV ADS" in the top menu and the ad will start immediately.
///// UPDATE /////
I finally found the Coors Light Ad in YouTube. You can watch it here.
///// UPDATE /////
Here's some screenshots...
Justice D.A.N.C.E. video:
Coors Light Puerto Rico Indie Rock Music Festival TV Ad:
The Godfather of Coincidences?
Anyone know which came first?
Part of campaign for local newspaper. Other peices in campaign look similar.
Posted on Gigposters.com. Very diffrent to other work posted.
D*Face and Levi’s and James Harries…
YTWWN: looks like they have all just used the same copyright free clip art - not a rip...