Persuasions singer Jerry Lawson is suing Apple for using the Jamie xx song in iPhone commercial. He claims that the song “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” was used without his permission. As a little background on Jamie xx’s 2015 album In Colour, he wrote a song “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” featuring Young Thug and Popcaan that has a sample of the Persuasions’1970 track “Good Times.” For this iPhone ad, Apple used Jamie xx’s song Now Jerry Lawson the founding member has sued Apple for using the track with out his permission. The track clearly features his voice as apart of the sample. In his defense, Lawson states that “Good Times” is “under jurisdiction of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and its collective bargaining agreements.”
Under the circumstances, Lawson continues that accordingly Apple and Media Arts Lab, their ad firm, must negotiate an agreement with him before using the song as apart of their advertisements. Media Arts Lab did not reach out to Lawson until 6 months after the commercial first aired and only offering him minimum compensation. Not finding the terms sufficient, Lawson ultimately did not agree with the settlement.
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