Universal Apparently Threatens Bank of America for "One" Parody Video

I can't bear to watch it a second time, but if you haven't already seen the – video of two corporate Tenacious D doppelgangers entertaining a rapt crowd of fellow Bank of America employees with a version of U2's "One" that substitutes lyrics about BofA's merger with MBNA for Bono's musings on oneness, have a look.

Although it seemed like one of those "here today, gone today" memes that everyone forwards around and then forgets about, this "One" is still in the news thanks to a story in the NY Times today about a Universal Music Group lawyer posting a "cease and desist" letter in Stereogum's comments area after the site posted the video. (Universal recently sued MySpace and its owner, News Corp. for copyright infringement.)

Stereogum has apparently responded by posting a version of David Cross and Johnny Marr covering Bank of America's version of "One" (earlier version here).

In addition to Stereogum, the lawyer also appears to have cease-and-desisted Bank of America:

"It has come to Universal's attention that Bank of America, N.A. (“BA”)
has created a derivative work of the Composition to promote BA’sbusiness and, in connection therewith, BA has publicly performed,
synchronized, reproduced and distributed the Composition during BA
business meetings and in timed relation with a video that is availableto the public on at least two (2) Internet Web Sites..."

Assuming this is true, it's nice, in a way, to see Universal's rigid enforcementof copyright applying to corporate Americans as well as meddling kids.

(image of BofA singer Ethan Chandler from awarestore)