The Chris Isaak vs. Paris Hilton case

The summer is officially over for me which means more free time. Free time to ponder the media world around me that is.

For all you people who have spent the summer under a rock it may come as a surprise that the hotel heiress and Guinness book girl Paris Hilton have released a video to her UB40 inspired song Stars are blind.

The video is directed by Chris Applebaum who is a force to be reckoned with within the music video community. So what has this to do with Chris Isaak I hear you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. The question is how much can you borrow before your creation turns from being an homage to being a rip off? Your honor, the prosecution here by presents their evidence in the Issak vs. Hilton case.

Evidence A:



Even if the Hilton image is much clearer here the moving images with the rolling wave is strikingly similar. Some might say that a nice surf wave like that can be found in many summer inspired videos. But your honor, this in only the first of many images that share similarities with my client’s acclaimed video Wicked games.

Evidence B:



Indeed many people have made out at palm trees such as these your Honor. But take a look at the evidence submitted. It would be hard pressed to say that it is mere coincidence that Paris tries to look seductive while grinding herself aginst a palm tree in the same manner as Ms Christiansen did all those year ago.

Evidence C:



Playing in the surf and making out as the water splash around you is an every day occurrence if you listen to the Defense your Honor. But doing it in grainy but stylish black and white just as my client did is pushing it.

The black and white style and the three different themes constitute a breach of integrity on my client’s side. All my client wants is a public confession your Honor. In the world today the kids have no sense of history. They think Limp Bizkit really came up with their hit Behind blue eyes and in the light of that my client want some recognition that it was him, not the factory made pop princess Paris, who came first.

This gives a new and frightening meaning to the old expression Guilty by association.