NME - MGMT SETTLE SPAT WITH FRENCH GOVERNMENT

MGMT SETTLE SPAT WITH FRENCH GOVERNMENT

New York-based rockers MGMT have settled their dispute with the French government after the band threatened to sue it.

The country's ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UPM) party allegedly used the song KIDS without permission at its rallies and on its official website.

MGMT had threatened court action over the move, but the French president Nicolas Sarkozy, is now reported to have paid a settlement fee to the group in order to end the matter.

Writing on their website the band said: "Normally MGMT steers clear of mixing music and politics, but the fact that the UMP used our song without permission while simultaneously pushing anti-piracy legislation seemed a little wack."

However, although the group have now received a settlement fee, the band will be donating it to musicians' rights organisations despite the "amazing monetary benefit and chinchilla coats and Navigators" the cash would have brought, the pair added.

MGMT believe that access to music is of benefit to both those who create it and fans, something which conflicts with the views of UMP, the band stated.

They noted that being able to access songs more easily has "undoubtedly helped spread our music around the globe, while also expanding our personal musical collections".

Finally, the group thanked France for the "wonderful food", adding "c'est bon".

Currently, MGMT are working on the follow up to their debut album ORACULAR SPECTACULAR.

The group were also honoured at this year's NME Awards, where they picked up two gongs.

MGMT were named Best New Band and also received the Best Track award for TIME TO PRETEND at the event which took place in February.

During the same event, OASIS were named Best British Band, while legendry goth-rockers The Cure got their hands on the God Like Genius Award, picking up the trophy from Hollywood director TIM BURTON.