Eminem sues Audi ‘Lose’ ad use
COLOGNE, Germany, June 4, (RTRS): Eminem has filed a cease-and-desist order against Audi, alleging the German carmaker illegally used the rapper’s Oscar-winning song “Lose Yourself’’ in a commercial for its new 2012 Audi A6 Avant.
“Lose Yourself’’ is the same music Eminem authorized Chrysler to use in its “Imported from Detroit’’ campaign for its new Chrysler 200 model.
Eminem starred in a spot for the campaign which debuted during the Super Bowl and has been viewed by more than 10 million people online. In addition to the use of the song, Audi’s commercial, which has not aired in North America, uses very similar visuals to the Chrysler spot. In Chrysler’s version, Eminem drives past Detroit’s key landmarks. The car in the Audi commercial drives past Berlin’s tourist sites.
Eminem’s Detroit-based publisher, Eight Mile Style, filed the order against Audi in a Hamburg regional court this week. The company has also said it will seek damages. The order only makes reference to Audi’s alleged unauthorized use of the song and does not include allegations that Audi may have copied the Chrysler campaign.