The businessman and the band were in a legal dispute
We recently reported here that Iron Maiden and the band's former manager, Barry McKay, reached a settlement copyright dispute over the classic Iron Maiden song "Hallowed Be Thy Name".
The lawsuit was initiated by Barry McKay, who alleges that Steve Harris and Dave Murray reproduced a large portion of Beckett's "Life's Shadow" in the song from The Number of the Beast (1982).
Harris and Murray paid approximately £100,000 (around R$450,000) to Brian Quinn and Robert Barton, composers of "Life's Shadow". The band commented on the decision in a statement released this Monday, the 12th.
“We do not believe that Brian Quinn wrote the six lines in question more than 40 years ago, as alleged by Barry McKay. However, due to legal fees that could increase the costs of the case in court, we have decided to settle for £100,000, a fraction of what the lawsuit sought.”
Now, the businessman has released a statement to Loudwire where he explores his opinion on the matter. Check it out below:
"I don't believe Steve Harris wrote all the songs he claims to have written himself. Far from it.".
Taking the lyrics and music from Barton/Quinn's track 'Life's Shadow' cost Harris and Dave Murray dearly. I hope this serves as a lesson for them. Next time, and there will be a next time, they should be sensible and fair. I find it grotesque to have to take wealthy musicians to court for plagiarizing the work of other, less wealthy musicians who can't afford a dispute with the giants of Iron Maiden.
If Andy Taylor and Rod Smallwood [Harris/Murray/Iron Maiden's manager] had correctly calculated the earnings from the Iron Maiden songs that infringed the 'Life's Shadow' copyright at the start of the dispute (which they didn't) and had offered Brian Quinn a fair settlement of £250,000, Steve Harris and Dave Murray could have saved £600,000 in legal fees. Instead, they sought a fight, and they got one. If they hadn't accepted the settlement, I would have taken this case forward for Steve Harris and Dave Murray to testify under oath before a jury.
The last time I litigated a music case in court, when a company sued me after asking me to help them convince an artist to break a contract, their case was dismissed when they were caught lying under oath. The defense documents outlined issues that would have been discussed in court had they not reached a settlement.
Brian Quinn did not receive the amount he expected. Our initial request was for £200,000. Instead, Harris and Murray hired expensive lawyers and ended up spending much more than that.
I am now representing three other musicians who claim that Steve Harris and Dave Murray also plagiarized lyrics they wrote. Musicians whose intellectual property is exploited by others should seek professional help.”
Iron Maiden has not commented on the response.