Rockers MGMT have settled their dispute with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and will donate their pay-off to musicians' rights groups.
The New York-based duo took action after discovering officials at Sarkozy's political party - the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) - used their track Kids in a promotional campaign without permission, but after calling in the lawyers, the band accepted an undisclosed sum in settlement, which they have pledged to hand to artists' rights organisations.
In a posting on their website, MGMT write: "About two months ago it was brought to our attention (through the MGMT message board) that the UMP French political party was using our song Kids at rallies and posting videos of these rallies on their official website. Normally MGMT steers clear of mixing music and politics, but the fact that the UMP used our song without permission while simultaneously pushing anti-piracy legislation seemed a little wack.
"We believe that access to music benefits both the musicians and the fans, and has undoubtedly helped spread our music around the globe, while also expanding our personal musical collections.
“We didn't want to be 'typical Americans' and sue, despite the amazing monetary benefit and chinchilla coats and Navigators (luxury cars) it would bring. Instead we're using the settlement fee the UMP presented and donating it to artists' rights organisations. Thank you France for the wonderful food. C'est bon. MGMT."
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison