Florida Man Seeks Copyright Compensation for ‘Da-da-da-da-da-da! Charge!’
A Florida man says in a lawsuit that he’s not getting proper compensation for his original composition used by pro sports teams across the nation.
The seven-syllable song: “Da-da-da-da-da-da! Charge!”
Bobby Kent of Pompano Beach says he wrote the ditty when he was music director for the San Diego Chargers and copyrighted it in 1980, the Miami Herald reports. Kent licensed the song to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, but he’s getting only $30 to $100 a year, according to his lawyer, Richard Wolfe. Kent has since broken ties with ASCAP.
Kent’s suit contends ASCAP didn’t keep track of use of the song, which he calls “Stadium Doodads,” the story reports. Now, Kent says, he has written to every pro sports team demanding $3,000 a year for use of his song. Only the Los Angeles Lakers paid up. He is planning to sue the other teams that didn’t respond.
The newspaper notes there is some dispute over whether Kent actually wrote the song. Some say the true composer is Tommy Walker, who was a drum major and field kicker for the University of Southern California.
Hat tip to Pat’s Papers.
