“One’s a pub classic, belted out at top volume by tipsy patrons around closing time. The other is a more dignified affair, a favorite of youth choirs and choral groups. Now, as unlikely as it seems, the classic children’s song, Kookaburra, and the Men At Work hit, Down Under, are set to go head-to-head in court amid accusations part of the rock anthem is a rip-off, the Daily Telegraph reports. Music publishing company Larrikin owns the Kookaburra song and claims the melody that accompanies the line ‘Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree’ is reproduced in Down Under. The case is due to start in full within days. … The part of the [latter] song that is alleged to have breached copyright is the distinctive flute-riff.” [editor’s note: I’m as staunch a defender of song-rights as they come, but this seems specious at best (far less than 8 bars of music) … and about 25 years after-the-fact as well - SAT] (06/24/09)