They may not have lost themselves in the music or the moment but a judge and nine lawyers in a New Zealand courtroom did listen
politely to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” as a copyright case involving the country’s ruling political party got underway.
The Detroit-based music publishers for Eminem are suing New Zealand’s conservative National Party for using a similar soundtrack titled “Eminem Esque” for a television advertisement during the 2014 election campaign.
The party has previously said it purchased the track through an Australian-based supplier and doesn’t believe it has infringed anyone’s copyright.
In 2014, lawmaker Steven Joyce said he thought the use of the song was “pretty legal,” a response that was widely mocked, including by comedian John Oliver on his show “Last Week Tonight.”
