White Stripes Vs. U.S. Air Force Reserve

The White Stripes are threatening legal action against the United States Air Force Reserve for using what they say is an unauthorized, re-recorded version of their "Fell In Love With A Girl" in a television advertisement that aired during the Super Bowl on Sunday (Feb. 7).

Jack and Meg White took to their official website on Monday (Feb. 8) to protest the U.S. Air Force Reserve's use of their song, which they said was "re-recorded without permission" of their the band, their publishers, label or management and used in the ad.

They say since they have not given the Air Force Reserve permission to use the song, they will take "strong action" to stop the ad from being used.

"The White Stripes take strong insult and objection to the Air Force Reserve presenting this advertisement with the implication that we licensed one of our songs to encourage recruitment during a war that we do not support," they said in a statement.

"The White Stripes support this nation's military, at home and during times when our country needs and depends on them. We simply don't want to be a cog in the wheel of the current conflict, and hope for a safe and speedy return home for our troops."

The advertisement, which has since been pulled from the U.S. Air Force Reserve website, is reportedly being used to recruit new personnel for the Reserve. The 67,000-member group provide "back-up" to the U.S. Air Force and are currently involved in America's campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries.

The Air Force Reserve has not responded to The White Stripes' comments and it's unclear if The White Stripes have taken any further action against the organization for the ad.

The White Stripes aren't unhappy with Joby Talbot and Wayne McGregor, however. They're responsible for Chroma, a ballet featuring orchestral versions of White Stripes songs, which will premiere in Toronto this coming November.

There's no word on whether the production features an orchestral version of "Fell In Love With A Girl," but we assume the band would like it a lot more than the Air Force Reserve's version. Maybe it has something to do with all those pirouettes? Maybe not.

The White Stripes will release Under Great White Northern Lights, a box set of their 2007 cross-Canada tour, on March 16.