GoldieBlox is a toy company who sell "toys for future inventors", and their latest commercial features little girls operating a Rube Goldberg-style machine. The video is said to encourage scientific thought over "princess" culture, and it's set to the tune of the Beastie Boys' 1987 hit song "Girls". The video has gone viral, and apparently, the Beastie Boys aren't too happy about it. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the band are threatening the toy company with copyright infringement.
GoldieBlox is making the case that the commercial features a parody of the Beastie Boys' "highly sexist song", so they argue that it's protected by the Fair Use Doctrine. Here's what the toy company says about the Beastie Boys' song in the complaint:
"GoldieBlox created its parody video with specific goals to make fun of the Beastie Boys song, and to further the company's goal to break down gender stereotypes and to encourage young girls to engage in activities that challenge their intellect, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. The GoldieBlox 'Girls' Parody Video has gone viral on the Internet, and has been recognized by the press and the public as a parody and criticism of the original song."
Meanwhile, Ad-Rock and Mike D have reportedly signed a deal to release their memoirs in 2015. Adam 'MCA' Yauch of Beastie Boys died in 2012. Yauch was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and succumbed to the disease on May 4, 2012, aged 47.
Watch the viral video above and decide for yourself if it's a warm tribute/parody like GoldieBlox says or unlawful copyright infringement.
Source: NME
