Browne resolves McCain lawsuit

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 21 (UPI) -- U.S. singer/songwriter Jackson Browne says he has resolved his lawsuit against the Republican National Committee and Sen. John McCain.

Also named in the lawsuit was the Ohio Republican Party.

The litigation stemmed from an Internet campaign video produced by the ORP in support of McCain's failed presidential bid, which incorporated portions of the song "Running on Empty," a song written and recorded by Browne, the musician said.

Filed last August in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, the lawsuit alleged this use of Browne's song required a license, which was not obtained, and that the defendants were liable for copyright infringement, false endorsement under the United States Lanham Act and violation of Browne's right of publicity for the use of his voice.

The financial terms of the settlement are confidential, Browne said.

"We apologize that a portion of the Jackson Browne song 'Running on Empty' was used without permission," said a statement issued by the ORP, RNC and McCain. "Although Sen. McCain had no knowledge of, or involvement in, the creation or distribution of the Web campaign video, Sen. McCain does not support or condone any actions taken by anyone involved in his 2008 presidential election campaign that were inconsistent with artists' rights or the various legal protections afforded to intellectual property. The ORP, RNC and Sen. McCain pledge in future election campaigns to respect and uphold the rights of artists and to obtain permissions and/or licenses for copyrighted works where appropriate."