Metallica Drive Pentagon to Pull Video Touting Drone Program Over Unauthorized Use of “Enter Sandman”

The Division of Protection is outwardly no match for the notoriously litigious Metallica. A social media video selling the division’s drone capabilities — set to the band’s basic observe “Enter Sandman”— was shortly pulled after X (previously Twitter) acquired a copyright discover from Metallica. The DoD subsequently uploaded a brand new model sans “Enter Sandman.”

“This afternoon, representatives from X reached out to DoD relating to a video posted to our social media web page and requested that the video be eliminated resulting from a copyright problem with the tune ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica. The video has been taken down, corrected, and re-uploaded to our web page,” a Pentagon spokesman mentioned in an announcement on Friday.

A consultant for Metallica confirmed to Rolling Stone that the usage of “Enter Sandman” was unauthorized.

Donald Trump has a protracted historical past of enjoying artists’ music at rallies and occasions with out their express permission. Nevertheless, he’s largely prevented authorized ipromiseyoumedias as a result of both his marketing campaign or the venues internet hosting his occasions usually maintain public efficiency licenses from rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI. These licenses permit for the usage of many copyrighted songs in reside settings, however they don’t prolong to authorities entities just like the Division of Protection, nor do they cowl on-line use—akin to posting movies with copyrighted music on social media—which requires separate synchronization or mechanical licenses.