Super sleuth fans have discovered another example of a band having their music ripped off with Brisbane band The Grates having their track re-recorded and used for a cereal commercial in New Zealand.
The track in question is their 2008 single ‘Aw Yeah’ which according to the Courier Mail has a striking resembelance to the music used in a recent commercial for Weet-Bix in New Zealand.
Of course, the similarities are no coincidence as the band has confirmed on Twitter after the fan who discovered the advert contacted the band to ask them about it.
“They asked us if they could record a version of this song for the ad. We said no. Can’t believe they did it anyway, jerks,” the band tweeted.
We sought comment this morning from the band’s label Dew Process but did not get a response in time for publication.
Of course if isn’t the first time bands have had their music used without permission for advertisements or television.
John Butler Trio were left fuming recently after their song was used without permission during the Superbowl in the United States where it was watched by more than 100 million people.
“John Butler and his management were not aware of this usage until (today) and we will be seeking advice as how to address the issue,” a representative for the band wrote after fans alerted them to the use.
But you can come out a winner in situations like this. Local Canberra band Tonk discovered a few weeks ago that popular US sitcom How I Met Your Mother had used one of their songs not once, but twice without permission.
The production company behind the show admitted fault and promptly paid Tonk out, a figure the band say far exceeded what they would have got paid had the track been licensed correctly in the first place.
We’ll keep you updated if we hear anything more from The Grates’ representatives. In the meantime watch the video below to hear The Grates track alongside the Weet Bix advertisement.
