Newt Gingrich Sued for Copyright Infringement over "Eye of the Tiger" Song

Submitted by patentadmin on Tue, 01/31/2012 - 12:43

January 31, 2012 - Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich was hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit by Frankie Sullivan, co-founder of the rock group Survivor, for unauthorized use of the group's song "Eye of the Tiger" on the campaign trail.

Co-written by Sullivan and Survivor's keyboard-vocalist Jim Peterik, the song was the theme song for the movie "Rocky III" and topped the charts worldwide in 1982. The lawsuit filing says the song has been copyrighted since June 7 of that year.

Gingrich has used "Eye of the Tiger" during campaign stops as well as in a video on his campaign website. The plaintiffs seek an injunction on the use of the song by Gingrich and the American Conservative Union, which also posted videos using the song, as well as damages, attorney fees, court costs and any profits made from the use of the song.