OTTAWA — The agency that licenses video of the Canada-Soviet Union 1972 hockey series on behalf of the players says the Conservative Party never asked permission to use its footage in a Stephen Harper campaign ad.
The Harper commercial, called Our Country, has already made headlines in the U.S. for its uncanny similarity to a slick promotional spot for putative Republican presidential contender Tim Pawlenty.
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Conservative Party spokesman Ryan Sparrow said he believes all the clips in the ad are properly licensed but said he would check further to make sure. He later said in an email that he had no comment.
Salaries for hockey players in 1972 were a fraction of what they are today, and licensing of the clips and merchandise provides those on the team with a bit of extra income.
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http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/decision-canada/Tories+have+Canada+Soviet+hockey+footage+says/4618408/story.html