Dee Snider Wins $1.2m Copyright Case For ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’
He’s Collecting $1.2m In Damages
The lengthy legal battle between Queensland politician Clive Palmer and Twisted Sister has finally come to an end. Universal Music sued Palmer in 2019 after the latter rewrote the lyrics to the classic hit “We’re Not Gonna Take It” for his political campaigns to promote the United Australian Party. Federal Court Judge Anna Katzmann ruled that he took its rhythm and melody without permission from the band.
He actually reached out to the proper channels to use Twisted Sister’s song but didn’t proceed with the process once he found out that it would cost him $150,000 for eight months. After his counter-offer of $35,000, he went ahead and used the track anyway and even hired a vocalist to sing the rewritten words.
Judge Katzmann wrote: “Mr Palmer’s use of [the song] was opportunistic.”
In 2020, Palmer defended himself by claiming that Dee Snider could not charge him with a copyright lawsuit because “We’re Not Gonna Take It” had musical similarities to the Christmas carol “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful.” He later withdrew that argument. Aside from paying $1.2m in damages, the judge also ordered Palmer to remove all copies and videos for the track online.
Snider then took to Twitter to celebrate. He tweeted, “WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ANY MORE!!”
HALLELUJAH!! Just found out that the copyright infringement of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by “politician” Clive Palmer in Australia has been decided MAJORLY in favor of myself as writer and @UMG as publishers! WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ANY MORE!!
— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) April 30, 2021
