By: Michelle Carr
Art is the language of which our souls speak. Whether it is through music, words, dance or images, this is how our soul communicates. It is a part of you. A small piece of you that had to be shared. It is the voice that screamed so loudly you would’ve been driven mad had you not expressed it. Being as such, Art is very personal. Such work has the ability to not only carry a heavy emotional weight with the creator but can resonate with many, many others as well. Having such an affect on the creator, it isn’t always easy to share what you have made. But we do it because of the part inside us that feels very strongly compelled to do so. And so we do with the hope that putting ourselves out there we can move, inspire, reach and even perhaps help others.
This is one reason why it is so very important to protect an artist’s work. It’s not only the monetary reasons. It is for the reason that this is a part of themselves that they have shared. It is their blood, sweat and tears. It is their joy, heartache, fight and not to mention time. To use such without permission isn’t just ethically wrong but it's morally as well. To steal it and then use it in such a way that the artist would never have agreed to, only further adds insult to injury. I would be devastated and angered beyond belief to find that anything I had made was used against the things I stand for. Because of this, I feel I need to raise my voice against such actions when they occur.
Nine years ago Burger King MX put out a commercial that included 30 Seconds to Mars very popular song, The Kill, playing in the background. Mars, once they were made aware, filed suit for copyright infringement due to the fact they had not given permission for the song’s use. Not only was their art stolen but it was used to advertise hamburgers and meat products. This is something that the band wouldn’t endorse due to the fact that the lead singer and song’s writer is vegan. This case has been in a standstill in the Mexican justice system for nine years. All this time the band has chosen to fight this privately. But the last time the band approached the corporation with the matter they were told, that the corporation just didn’t have time for such things right now. So, tired of waiting for them to do the right thing in private, Mars has brought this out to the public.
This isn’t a practice that should be allowed to carry on. This is exactly why copyright laws have been put into place. There should never be a question if it is right to steal something created by another, use it for your own personal gain and to endorse items that the creator is against. Ignoring the situation once you are caught is absolutely shameful. Not sure if Burger King MX is hoping this matter will just go away but I think that fighting for them to make it right over the last nine years shows that is not going to happen. The law is on the artist’s side on this one Burger MX and this needs to be made right! It shouldn’t have taken nearly this long for that to be seen.
As a writer, I will gladly stand behind 30 Seconds to Mars in this fight for justice. I will raise my voice to let Burger King MX know how I feel about their actions. This mustn’t be allowed. I will also boycott Burger King’s food (it isn’t good for me anyway) to ensure that such a company doesn’t receive a dime more from my household. We demand justice, will you join us? #RespectTheArtist -
For more information regarding case see (scroll down for English translation) - http://ow.ly/ZaUS6
Join your name with those who feel Burger King MX needs to right their wrong. - http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-thirty-seconds-to-mars
Image created by Sarah Beanie