Rapper Byrne Wins BBC Case
Byrne v. British Broadcasting Corporation
Irish Echo - 10/3/01
DISCLAIMER:
BBC logo used only to identify adversary
Irish-American rap singer Chris Byrne has won his copyright infringement case against the British Broadcasting Corporation.
The BBC has issued an apology and has agreed to pay Byrne an undisclosed sum.
Byrne, known as Seancahí, brought his case against the BBC last yea, alleging that his song "Fenians" had been used without permission on a BBC Northern Ireland "Spotlight" documentary on the Florida IRA gunrunning case.
Byrne, a co-founder of the group Black 47, alleged the use of the song by the BBC without license or permission.
Through his New York lawyers, Smith, Dornan and Shea, Byrne sued the BBC for $5 million.
In addition to alleging copyright infringement, Byrne's attorneys alleged that by taking Byrne's instantly recognizable voice and musical work, the BBC had caused him to be unwillingly associated with a British media company , and an anti-Irish message, both of which he has publicly opposed for years.
In the settlement deal, the BBC agreed to pay "a reasonable payment" to Byrne for inadvertently using his music, and also made a contribution toward the singer's legal costs.
The apology was read and displayed on the air during the first "Spotlight" program for the fall season which was aired Sept. 25.
The apology stated: "In a 'Spotlight' program broadcast on October 5, 1999, the BBC inadvertently breached the copyright of the composer Chris Byrne. The BBC would like to apologize to Byrne and his band, Seanchaí, for this.
"The BBC also wishes to point out that the use of this composer's music was in no way intended to imply his support for any of the views or opinions expressed or examined in the program."
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