This week, the world was treated to one of the greatest cease-and-desist letters of all time courtesy of the Doobie Brothers. ICYMI the band took hilarious aim at Bill Murray and his golf brand William Murray Golf, accusing them of using the Doobies' classic track "Listen to the Music" without permission. Now Murray's legal team has responded and proved they can be just as funny.
Alexander Yoffe of Yoffe & Cooper, who reps Murray's golf company, took to Twitter on Friday night (September 25) to respond to cease-and-desist.
"First, I would like to compliment you on finding levity in the law at a time when the world and this country certainly could use a laugh," Yoffe wrote. "Your client's demand was able to cut through the noise of the news cycle and remind us how much we all miss live music these days. We would also like to confirm that both our firm, and the good folks at William Murray Golf, are indeed fans of the Doobie Brothers' music, which is 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."
Yoffe went on to say the Doobie Brothers were not "harmed" by William Murray Golf commercials featuring "Listen to the Music."
"In the immortal words of Mr. Murray — the more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything… so let's pour one up and unwind with a listen of the recently-released Quadio box set and plan to cross paths at a Doobie Brothers' 50th anniversary show in 2021 when some level of normalcy resumes," Yoffe wrote.
"As your client so aptly stated in this classic song in question, 'What the people need is a way to make them smile' — which both Bill and the Doobies have been doing for decades, as world-class entertainers."
Yoffe closed the message by offering to send the Doobies some free William Murray Golf shirts "and hopefully win each of you over as new fans of the brand… At least that's 'what this fool believes.'"
You can see the response below, where you'll also find the original cease-and-desist from the Doobie Brothers.
Alexander Yoffe of Yoffe & Cooper, who reps Murray's golf company, took to Twitter on Friday night (September 25) to respond to cease-and-desist.
"First, I would like to compliment you on finding levity in the law at a time when the world and this country certainly could use a laugh," Yoffe wrote. "Your client's demand was able to cut through the noise of the news cycle and remind us how much we all miss live music these days. We would also like to confirm that both our firm, and the good folks at William Murray Golf, are indeed fans of the Doobie Brothers' music, which is 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."
Yoffe went on to say the Doobie Brothers were not "harmed" by William Murray Golf commercials featuring "Listen to the Music."
"In the immortal words of Mr. Murray — the more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything… so let's pour one up and unwind with a listen of the recently-released Quadio box set and plan to cross paths at a Doobie Brothers' 50th anniversary show in 2021 when some level of normalcy resumes," Yoffe wrote.
"As your client so aptly stated in this classic song in question, 'What the people need is a way to make them smile' — which both Bill and the Doobies have been doing for decades, as world-class entertainers."
Yoffe closed the message by offering to send the Doobies some free William Murray Golf shirts "and hopefully win each of you over as new fans of the brand… At least that's 'what this fool believes.'"
You can see the response below, where you'll also find the original cease-and-desist from the Doobie Brothers.