Mike Huckabee has to fork over $25K for unauthorized use of ‘Eye of the Tiger’ at Kim Davis rallies

As Mike Huckabee tried to organize a Kim Davis victory tour last year, he thought Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” would make for a great theme song. Now, according to a CNN report, the company who owns the rights to the song is suing the former presidential candidate and anti-gay marriage crusader for copyright infringement and unauthorized use of the song.

Huckabee blasted the song at a rally honoring the Kentucky county clerk who spent time in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after last year’s Supreme Court ruling.

Huck’s camp argued that the event was a “religious assembly” and immune from requirement to pay since it is “non-commercial.” Unfortunately, he also framed the event as part of his presidential campaign and expenses show that the rally was paid for on behalf of the Huckabee ticket.

Huckabee reportedly agreed to a confidential settlement, but campaign finance records show that $12,500 was paid to Rude Music Incorporated in May of 2016 — one of two payments Huckabee’s campaign has made so far. According to Raw Story, “the first $12,500 payment was listed as an ‘itemized disbursement,’ however. The other half is listed as ‘debts and obligations.’”

Huckabee admitted defeat and settled with the music company out of court.  His campaign funds were low, however, so the campaign petitioned the FEC to allow him to start a special legal defense fund to handle the cost of litigating the case as well as the money he ultimately owed. The FEC issued a draft opinion last week encouraging Huckabee to pay the money himself.

According to reports, Huckabee is still struggling to pay off debts from his 2012 presidential bid.

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.

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