Jack White and his sorta-sis claim the Reserve re-recorded the song and aired it without obtaining a license. Third Man Records posted a statement from the Stripes and had links to the original song and for the commercial so visitors to the Web site could make a side-by-side comparison. The link to the Reserve was not correct at press time.
Here is the Stripes’ statement:
“We believe our song was re-recorded and used without permission of the White Stripes, our publishers, label or management.
“The White Stripes take strong insult and objection to the Air Force Reserve presenting this advertisement with the implication that we licensed one of our songs to encourage recruitment during a war that we do not support.
“The White Stripes support this nation’s military, at home and during times when our country needs and depends on them. We simply don’t want to be a cog in the wheel of the current conflict, and hope for a safe and speedy return home for our troops.
“We have not licensed this song to the Air Force Reserve and plan to take strong action to stop the ad containing this music.”