Danish political party settles copyright dispute over unauthorised use of Gnags song

Denmark’s Moderate Party has agreed to pay 300,000 kroner (€40,300) to settle a dispute with Gnags frontman Peter A.G. Nielsen over the unauthorised use of the band’s song Når jeg bli’r gammel in a political campaign, DR reports.

The party will pay Nielsen 150,000 kroner in compensation and cover legal costs, with an additional 150,000 kroner donated to charity, according to a statement from the band.

Nielsen had accused the party of copyright infringement after it used a modified version of the song’s lyrics—“Når jeg bliver gammel, vil jeg ikke sidde på en bænk” (“When I get old, I don’t want to sit on a bench”)—on campaign posters in February 2024. The original lyrics omit the word “ikke” (“not”).

“This isn’t about power being so arrogant that it doesn’t listen to the people,” Nielsen told public broadcaster DR at the time, adding: “You don’t mess with the wild rabbits”—a reference to the song’s themes. He had threatened legal action unless the party ceased using the lyrics.

The Moderate Party has not yet commented on the settlement. Gnags, meanwhile, stated they would now focus on live performances over the summer.