Yesterday, all of your collective social media timelines were going ballistic over word of the FCC voting to repeal net neutrality. While some of us spent the day trying to figure out what the fuck that meant for our everyday interneting, many were looking into the face of the repeal, Ajit Pai, who happens to be the chairman of the FCC. The digging resulted in finding the above video, which was produced by conservative news site The Daily Caller.
The video is one of those pieces that your uncool uncle would use to prove to you that net neutrality wouldn't be an issue. Pai attempts to be funny while doing shit like dumping Hot Cheetos on his Chipotle bowl so he can get some shots for the 'gram, or doing Christmas shopping (for fidget spinners, no less). The idea? "Don't worry, internet, you can still do what you normally do without net neutrality," although there's no mention of the possible regulations and such that are a major reality. Nor did they think about the fact that, during the "ruin memes" segment, they couldn't just up and use Baauer's "Harlem Shake" to create a shit meme without proper authorization.
When Mad Decent caught wind of the use of Baauer's viral smash, they responded in kind via Twitter.
Official statement re the use of "Harlem Shake" in Daily Caller's video of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai: neither Mad Decent nor Baauer approved this use nor do we approve of the message contained therein. We have issued a takedown will pursue further legal action if it is not removed.
"Official statement re the use of "Harlem Shake" in Daily Caller's video of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai," they began. "Neither Mad Decent nor Baauer approved this use nor do we approve of the message contained therein. We have issued a takedown." The dance music label also said they "will pursue further legal action if it is not removed."
For those who don't remember the now four-year-old meme craze, Baauer's 2012 Mad Decent single "Harlem Shake" went ultra viral. It had nothing to do with the real Harlem Shake dance, but was basically people doing silly dances timed to the drop of the track. After Billboard made changes to include streaming data from YouTube in the Hot 100 singles chart, Baauer's single shot up to No. 1 in February of 2013. Mad Decent, which counts Diplo as one of its founders, further capitalized on the single's virality by inking a deal with Warner Bros. to distribute the song.
We say all of that to say Mad Decent kept it a buck when it came to "Harlem Shake," which according to Diplo "saved the label." Plus, one would imagine that Mad Decent is here for net neutrality.
For now, The Daily Caller has not responded publicly to Mad Decent's tweet. There is one interesting fact about the entire ordeal, though.
Hoping I'm not the only one who sees the irony that the literal chairman of the @FCC used a copyrighted work without permission #NetNeutrality https://t.co/VayTNq3rGs
