DJ Kool Herc Sues HBO Over Vinyl
Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. At least, I can only guess that’s what certain HBO executives must have been thinking when they decided to use DJ Kool Herc’s image and story without permission in their new show, Vinyl.
They did ask. They even offered him $10,000 to give up all rights to his name and story. Am I the only one who sees something wrong here? Well, other than Herc, himself, of course. He refused their offer. What’s $10,000 when you’re being asked to give up all control over how your name and relationship to Hip Hop are used?
HBO is now the (not so) proud recipient of a lawsuit filed against it by none other than Kool Herc.
HBO, for its part, is arguing that Herc’s reaction is based entirely on a misunderstanding. You see, the $10,000 the company supposedly offered him was not meant to convince him to hand over all rights. Since, Vinyl doesn’t actually name any of the characters after Herc and is only loosely based on the evolution of Hip Hop in New York City through the 1970s, HBO doesn’t owe Herc anything, nor does it need to ask permission for anything.
I have a feeling the lawyers will be the big winners on this one. Check out the details of the case here, and let me know where you stand on the issue.
1 comment
I was wondering about this as they do list Kool Herc as a character in the credits with the actor playing him in the final episode. If it is a loosely based thing they probably should have changed the name or not have given it a credit.