Clive Palmer rips off Karma Chameleon in new video game

Boy George’s manager has warned of legal action after Clive Palmer used one of the pop icon’s hits for the United Australia Party.

BOY George’s manager has warned of legal action after Clive Palmer used one of the pop icon’s hits for the United Australia Party.

As reported by The Courier-Mail, the controversial mining magnate pinched another ’80s pop hit — Culture Club’s Karma Chameleon — in his latest promotion for the UAP political party.

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Rebranded with the lyrics “Palmer Chameleon”, the song appears in a free mobile game launched by Mr Palmer yesterday.

Boy George and Culture Club’s manager Paul Kemsley told the ABC the use of the song was a “clear copyright infringement”.

United Australia Party (UAP) leader Clive Palmer, at the launch of his Australian Politics themed App game. Picture: AAP/Jeremy Piper

“Boy George’s song and art would never be used to endorse any political campaign,” Mr Kemsley told the ABC in response to The Courier-Mail’s story.

“I’m horrified at the treatment of one of the biggest-selling songs of all time.”

He reportedly suggested legal action would be considered if Mr Palmer continued to use the song.

The game features an animated Mr Palmer collecting biscuits, which his press release referred to as Tim Tams, and jumping on Australian political figures.

Asked whether Mr Palmer had sought permission to use the song, made famous by Boy George and Culture Club, a spokesman said it was a “parody, not relevant to copyright”.

The Courier-Mail contacted record label BMG and game developer Emu Wars Games for comment.

It follows Mr Palmer’s ongoing battle with Twisted Sister, who claim he used their song We’re Not Gonna Take It in his political ad without permission.

Clive Palmer pinched Boy George‘s hit Karma Chameleon for the game.

Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has said he would contact his legal team over Mr Palmer’s use of their song, which Mr Palmer in turn claimed was a “rip-off” of the Christmas carol O Come, All Ye Faithful.

The Courier-Mail also revealed last week his political party’s constitution is largely copied from the LNP’s document, with slight changes to give Mr Palmer and his family increased power over the organisation.

Mr Palmer still faces court cases relating to the collapse of his company Queensland Nickel, which went into liquidation owing almost 800 workers more than $70 million in unpaid entitlements. He had denied wrongdoing.

His finances improved after a court victory over a royalties dispute with his Chinese business rivals Citic in late 2017.