Bill Murray response Doobie Brothers, one of their songs without permission

 Bill Murray response Doobie Brothers, one of their songs without permission.

Bill Murray’s golf company have responded to the Doobie Brothers’ request for damages for an alleged breach of copyright.

The actor’s golf apparel brand William Murray Golf is said to have used the group’s 1972 hit ‘Listen To The Music’ in a TV advert for a new shirt without permission.

The letter from the Doobie Brothers’ attorney Peter T. Paterno gained attention both for its claims and the humorous style in which it was written. “The Doobie Brothers perform and recorded the song Listen to the Music, which Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers wrote,” he wrote.

“It’s a fine song. I know you agree because you keep using it in ads for your Zero Hucks Given golf shirts. However, given that you haven’t paid to use it, maybe you should change the name to ‘Zero Bucks Given’.”

Now, Murray’s lawyer has responded in kind with their own glib letter. Alexander Yoffe of the Yoffe & Cooper law firm began by complimenting Paterno on “finding levity in the law at a time when the world and this country certainly could use a laugh”.

He continued to confirm that both those working at the law firm and at William Murray Golf were fans of the Doobie Brothers, noting that was why “we appreciate your firm’s choice of ‘Takin’ It To The Streets’, rather than to the courts, which are already overburdened ‘Minute By Minute’ with real problems”.