MGMT Donate French Lawsuit Settlement Money

MGMT have accepted a financial settlement after suing French president Nicolas Sarkozy's Union For A Popular Movement (UMP) party for copyright infringement in February for using their song "Kids" without permission.

UMP, which has an anti-music piracy platform, agreed to compensate the Brooklyn, N.Y. duo of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden for its use of the track.

MGMT issued this statement on the forum section of their website last Thursday:

"About two months ago it was brought to our attention (through the MGMT message board) that the UMP French political party was using our song 'Kids' at rallies and posting videos of these rallies on their official website. Normally MGMT steers clear of mixing music and politics, but the fact that the UMP used our song without permission while simultaneously pushing anti-piracy legislation seemed a little wack.

"We believe that access to music benefits both the musicians and the fans, and has undoubtedly helped spread our music around the globe, while also expanding our personal musical collections.

"We didn't want to be 'typical Americans' and sue, despite the amazing monetary benefit and chinchilla coats and Navigators it would bring. Instead we're using the settlement fee the UMP presented and donating it to artists rights organizations.

"Thank you France for the wonderful food. C'est bon."

MGMT are still touring in support of their 2008 Oracular Spectacular debut, but may also preview new material from a forthcoming album tentatively titled Congratulations at their upcoming appearances.

MGMT may fuel themselves on croissants, coq au vin, Camembert, foie gras and eclairs before these shows:

June 9 Little Rock, AR @ The Village w/Chairlift
June 11 Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall w/Kuroma
June 13 Manchester, TN @ Great Stage Park (Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival)
July 1 Brooklyn, NY @ Prospect Park Bandshell
July 21-23 Auckland, New Zealand @ Powerstation
Aug. 2 Jersey City, NJ @ Liberty State Park (All Points West Music & Arts Festival)
Aug. 15 Hamburg, Germany @ Dockville 2009
Aug. 22 Staffordshire, England @ Weston Park (V Festival)
Aug. 23 Chelmsford, England @ Hylands Park (V Festival)
Aug. 28 Stockholm, Sweden @ Eriksdalsbadet (Popaganda Festival)
Aug. 30 Paris, France @ Rock En Seine
Sept. 4 Stradbally, Ireland @ Stradbally Hall (Electric Picnic)
Sept. 5 Warsaw, Poland @ Plac Defilad (Orange Festival)
Sept. 11 Downend, England @ Robin Hill (Bestival)