Eminem Rips, Mixes, and Burns Apple -- Rap superstar Eminem has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Detroit against Apple Computer, also naming Viacom subsidiary MTV and advertising agency TBWA/Chiat/Day as plaintiffs. The suit alleges Apple used Eminem's Oscar-winning hit "Lose Yourself" in an iPod advertisement without permission; the spot was shown on MTV networks in 2003 and was available via Apple's Web site. Eminem has scrupulously avoided national endorsement deals, and claims that a fee possibly in excess of $10 million would be required if he were to pursue such an arrangement. Although the lawsuit does not specify damage claims, it notes that Eminem (whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III and who is suing via his publishing company Eight Mile Style) would be entitled to "exemplary damages" because of the high status the song has achieved in popular culture. [GD]

<http://www.eminem.com/>
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