‘Harlem Shake’ Creators Threaten Legal Action Against FCC Chief Over Anti-Net Neutrality Video

By Ken MeyerDec 15th, 2017, 2:09 pm
 

If you’re one of those people who are really concerned about the end of Net Neutrality, you might’ve seen Ajit Pai‘s really weird, meme-packed video about why the Internet is not actually going to die. If you haven’t seen it yet, however, you might care to do so before it gets hit by copyright strikes.

DJ Harry Rodrigues (better known as Baauer) announced on Twitter yesterday that he does not approve of how Pai’s video featured his 2012 viral sensation “Harlem Shake.” Baauer announced that he would take legal action. His threat was repeated by Mad Decent, the record label that worked with him on the song:

Baauer recently gave an interview to Billboard where he expressed support for Net Neutrality and said the use of his song was a total surprise to him.

“I want to be clear that it was used completely without my consent or council. My team and I are currently exploring every single avenue available to get it taken down. I support Net Neutrality like the vast majority of this country and am appalled to be associated with its repeal in anyway.”

Before Pai led yesterday’s vote to roll back Obama-era guidelines for Internet providers, the FCC chairman drew criticism for starring the video — which was produced by Daily Caller reporter and serial plagiarist Benny Johnson.

The video’s reception on YouTube has been overwhelmingly negative, not just because of its content and message, but also because Pai is featured dancing around with a conspiracy theorist who was a known proponent of #Pizzagate.

[Image via screengrab]

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