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The Doobie Brothers Issued A Hilariously Brutal Cease-And-Desist Letter To Bill Murray Over His Use Of Their Music
While most people know about Bill Murray's starring roles in many great comedy movies, fewer know he also owns a brand of golf apparel, William Murray Golf.
A new ad for the brand's "No Hucks Given" shirt features the 1972 Doobie Brothers song "Listen To The Music." Unfortunately, it seems Murray didn't check with the band before using their music.
This resulted in a hilarious cease-and-desist letter from the Doobie Brothers' lawyer, who said in the correspondence:
"Listen to the Music is a fine song. I know you agree because you keep using it in ads for your Zero Hucks Given golf shirts. However, given that you haven't paid to use it, maybe you should change the company name to 'Zero Bucks Given.'"
Bill Murray receives a legal demand from the Doobie Brothers. And it’s everything you’d want it to be... https://t.co/R1L99yZSBj— Eriq Gardner (@Eriq Gardner)1600964976.0
The lawyer also threw some shade at Murray by comparing him to the President, writing:
"It seems like the only person who uses our clients' music without permission more than you do is Donald Trump."
This is classic. The original song of course & now this letter to Bill Murray. https://t.co/xU2ynT3SAJ— Fergal Bowers (@Fergal Bowers)1601050433.0
Adding insult to injury, the lawyer tore into Garfield.
"This is the part where I'm supposed to cite the United State Copyright Act, excoriate you for not complying with some subparagraph that I'm too lazy to look up and threaten you with eternal damnation for doing so."
"But you already earned that with those Garfield movies. And you already know that you can't use music in ads without paying for it."
The letter in the case of Doobie Brothers vs Bill Murray is one of the greatest pieces of legal correspondence I ha… https://t.co/NzzhOjVOge— Stig Abell (@Stig Abell)1601016662.0
In their final sign off, the Doobie Brothers relayed through their lawyer one final insult:
"We'd be almost OK with it if the shirts weren't so damn ugly. But it is what it is."
If all legal letters were this funny, Twitter would follow them a lot more closely!
Oh this is sensational. One of the best legal letters you’ll ever read - from Doobie Brothers vs Bill Murray. https://t.co/KaiReoz9JB— Joel Vertes (@Joel Vertes)1601039154.0
And now, the best cease & desist #copyright notice of the year, served by The Doobie Bros. council to Mr. Bill Murr… https://t.co/GU0nzdySFt— Dave Wieneke (@Dave Wieneke)1601051354.0
Many were ready to go out and give lawyer Peter Paterno a congratulatory handshake.
@eriqgardner @andizeisler I have absolutely no need of a copyright lawyer, but how much to put Peter T Paterno on retainer?— Elizabeth Harlow (@Elizabeth Harlow)1600967543.0
@eriqgardner This is the kind of legal notice letter I write and save in a special drafts folder as catharsis, neve… https://t.co/KorqduwpxE— Christina Gambino (@Christina Gambino)1600981766.0
Perhaps there will be a role for the Doobie Brothers in Murray's next movie?
@eriqgardner I like bill Murray and I am a long time Doobie Brothers fan. This letter had me laughing so hard it brought tears. Well done!— Tom Brooks (@Tom Brooks)1600985633.0
@eriqgardner This is what you do when you know whatever you send will end up on the internet so you might as well l… https://t.co/2ViBz2JLds— T (@T)1600978746.0
If you ever get the chance to send Bill Murray a legal letter, follow the Doobie Brothers' lead and make it a good one!