Pink Floyd and his fight for jingle from the French train station
It was enough for the former guitarist of the legendary group Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, to hear a jingle played as an advertisement in French train stations in 2015, for this to be the inspiration for his song “Rattle that lock”, the main song of his last album of the same name as a soloist.
Gilmour was so impressed with the musical short that he immediately requested permission to use it from its author Michaël Boumendil, which in turn was approved by the SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français or French National Railway Company).
Gilmour and Boumendil signed the corresponding agreement in the same year 2015, and both were recognized as co-authors of the song. However, a year later, Boumendil argued that the use of his jingle in the piece exceeded what was originally agreed upon, and that he authorized Gilmour only to reproduce the musical notes and not copy them exactly, so he sued the renowned guitarist. In 2018, the competent Judicial Authority issued its resolution in favor of Gilmour, indicating that the respective agreement was not violated at any time, condemning Boumendil to pay the respective procedural costs.
Not satisfied with the result, Boumendil recently filed an appeal seeking to collect damages for the damage caused by the alleged misuse of his musical creation.
Definitely, the final resolution of this case must be followed closely, as it could represent an important judicial precedent in terms of the practical application of copyright issues and contracts in the world of music.
Cristina Mora Granados
Associate
García & Bodán
Costa Rica