Eminem vs. New Zealand National Party Trial Begins

Eminem isn't letting New Zealand's National Party off the hook. Three years after a campaign commercial for Steven Joyce featured "Lose Yourself" or a "Lose Yourself" soundalike, the Detroit rapper's lawsuit has started trial in Wellington. 

The Associated Press writes that "a judge and nine lawyers in a New Zealand courtroom did listen politely" to the song. Rolling Stone notes that Mr. Mathers' lawyer, Gary Williams, made the following opening remarks:

"The song 'Lose Yourself,' is without doubt the jewel in the crown of Eminem's musical work. Not only did the song win an Academy Award for Best Original Song in a movie, it also won two GRAMMY Awards. In short, 'Lose Yourself' is an extremely valuable song. The licensing of the song has been extremely carefully controlled. Despite many requests, it has only rarely been licensed for advertising purposes. When licensed, it can command in the millions of dollars. That's how valuable it is."