Eminem Audi A6 Avant Video Is Not An Advertisement, Audi Spokesperson Says

A U.S. spokesperson for Audi has responded to the lawsuit filed in Hamburg Regional Court in Germany this week by Eight Mile Style LLC, Eminem's publishing company. The German automobile manufacturer is being sued for using an unauthorized sample of Eminem's Academy Award-winning song "Lose Yourself" from his film "8 Mile."

The Audi spokesperson told Yahoo! Music that the video that has sparked the debate is not a commercial. "The video referred to is not an advertisement," he said via email. "Also, this does not involve Audi of America. The video was not shown here in the U.S." The spokesperson added that due to the legal nature of the matter, he could not comment further.

In the European spot for the 2012 Audi A6 Avant, a professionally-dressed man drives the luxury vehicle through a city as the memorable guitar rift and snare taps from "Lose Yourself" play in the background.

The song choice and the video concept have also drawn comparisons to a 2011 Super Bowl advertisement Eminem made for Chrysler.

"We believe Audi not only used 'Lose Yourself' to sell their product without permission, but their spot actually feels inspired by elements of Chrysler's commercial campaign," a spokesperson for Eight Mile Style told Billboard.

In Eminem's advertisement for the Chrysler 200, a faceless driver tours Detroit, showing both the rundown and flourishing parts of the city. The marquee on the town's landmark Fox Theater reads, "Keep Detroit Beautiful," a reference to Eminem's 2009 song "Beautiful." The rapper is revealed as the driver of the car.

The 2012 Audi A6 clip is a more pristine version of the Chrysler 200 spot.

According to Billboard, Chrysler had not announced any plans to also file a suit against Audi.

Eminem wasn't the only pop star involved in a conflict this week. His "Love The Way You Lie" duet partner Rihanna received flack for her violent new video, "Man Down." But otherwise, other A-list musicians had a more positive week. Lady Gaga sold more than one million copies of her "Born This Way" album. Pink and her husband, Carey Hart, welcomed the birth of their baby girl. And Kanye West paid respects to the late iconic poet Gil Scott Herron by performing at his funeral.

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