Metallica‘s “Enter Sandman” Forces Pentagon Drone Video Takedown: A Copyright Clash
The U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) recently learned a valuable lesson in intellectual property rights, as a promotional video showcasing its drone capabilities was swiftly removed from social media after a copyright claim from the iconic rock band Metallica. The video, which featured the band’s legendary track “Enter Sandman,” was pulled from X (formerly Twitter) after the platform received a copyright notice from Metallica’s representatives. The DoD has since re-uploaded a revised version of the video without the unauthorized use of the song.
The Unsanctioned Anthem: How ”Enter Sandman” Led to a takedown
The incident highlights a common pitfall for organizations, even those with significant resources, when it comes to using popular music in digital content. A Pentagon spokesman confirmed the situation,stating,”This afternoon,representatives from X reached out to DoD regarding a video posted to our social media page and asked that the video be removed due to a copyright issue with the song ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica. The video has been taken down, corrected, and re-uploaded to our page.”
A representative for Metallica corroborated the unauthorized nature of the song’s inclusion in the DoD video, confirming the report to Rolling Stone. This action underscores Metallica’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property.
Navigating the Complexities of Music Licensing
While political figures like Donald Trump have a history of playing popular music at rallies and events, their legal recourse often stems from existing public performance licenses held by campaigns or venues. These licenses, typically obtained through organizations like ASCAP and BMI, grant permission for the use of a vast catalog of songs in live settings.
However, these broad licenses do not extend to government entities like the Department of Defense, nor do they cover the specific requirements for online content. Posting videos with copyrighted music on social media platforms necessitates separate synchronization or mechanical licenses, which are distinct from public performance rights. The DoD’s oversight in securing these specific licenses for their drone program video led directly to the copyright infringement claim and subsequent takedown.
The incident serves as a crucial reminder for all content creators, from government agencies to individual influencers, about the importance of understanding and adhering to music licensing laws to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the responsible use of copyrighted material.
