Johnny Gioeli suing Sega over Live & Learn

So Johnny had this statement for Polygon:

 

I was going to say...
Somewhat recently (like a year ago) Remedy was the target of a trademark violation claim over their logo from Take Two / Rockstar... Who they had already announced they were working on Max Payne remakes for. Pretty soon after they said it was just a formality and things are still going as planned. It's not really the end of anything, just how those conversations have to go just to have a record they happened.

 

It indeed is. But you gotta keep in mind that most people will automatically compare it to the only other SEGA lawsuit of note - the Ken Penders saga/fiasco. That one was a huge exception to the usual rote, as it ended in tears, massive retcons and burnt bridges.

 

I also refuse to believe the oversight might have anything to do with SEGA thinking they wouldn't release another Sonic game. Not just because it isn't supported by evidence, but because it would be THE most stupid thing they would have done, ever, bar nothing else even with fierce competition. If you're going bankrupt, copyright catalogs are probably the most versatile and valuable asset that can be sold off quickly. The scenario wherein someone thought "oh well there will be no more Sonic so who cares" would baffle me out of existence.

Not that them leaving the rights of the main theme to their most important title of the year to a man they never talked to isn't close enough.

 

It amuses me that only reason that this whole situation only came about was because fans begged for Live & Learn to be used in the movie, which led to Paramount licensing it from Johnny, which made him aware that Sega didn't for the last 20+ years and now here we are.

 

Why do people keep saying it's due to Paramount making him aware when he said himself he was informed by a fan?

 

I guess he'll never write a Sonic-related song again after this.

 

Why are we jumping to so many conclusions here?
The article states it as it is. He learned via a fan that Live and Learn was in more games than SA2, he owns the rights to the song and wants compensation for all the unlicensed usage. Nothing to do with Paramount, and it's not like he said he wants to stop his relationship with Sega, he's just looking for the legal compensation he is owed.

 

Sega:

 

Oh Great. Not only has Crush 40 been relegated to third-rate racing games and supporting roles in spin-offs of the series, but now there's a real chance we might never hear them in any future game again.

 

If SEGA decides to cut ties with an artist whom they've had a 25+ year relationship with because they legally and rightfully requested their dues for their work, that's on them.

 

These things happen all the time, as has been stated before me. There has recently been a lawsuit between Daryl Hall and John Oates over breach of contract. There's a hint of possible tension there, but I get the indication from John Oates that they're still "like brothers". So a lawsuit doesn't necessarily mean one side is good and the other is bad. Sometimes it's just a disagreement. And with so much money at stake and a corporation in the mix, it's almost necessary to handle it through the courts to ensure both sides get a fair shake.

If things don't work out, so be it. All good things must come to an end eventually.

 

now on the wiki, courtesy of the lovely Hika876

Johnny Gioeli v. Sega of America, Inc.

 

Sasuga, Retro…is Naka’s insider trading on the wiki too?

 

you betcha

 

Well for the Japanese version of Sonic X that is.
4-Kds remove it and makes you wonder if they knew something about it and decided not to pay for the license

 

They removed it because they didn't license the Japanese soundtrack period, and composed a new one for themselves, which is standard for old budget anime dubs. They probably never had the chance to single out the game music because they probably wouldn't have even recognized it.
As a note, other game music they used includes Open Your Heart during the Perfect Chaos fight and Fakery Way and I believe "Will You Continue?" Also from Sonic Adventure.

 

I'm pretty sure Sonic X never used Open Your Heart, not even in the Japanese version. I don't recall the others being used either, but my memory may be slipping.

 

X does not use Open Your Heart, but it does use Live and Learn, Fakery Way and Will You Continue, along with Vengeance is Mine from Radical Highway.

 

A digression, but no, they've stated they're kind of not friends outside of the studio and always viewed it as a business partnership, always with tension between them due to wanting to have solo recognition. At least, that's what they've said more recently.