Dando is claiming copyright violation and is demanding damages and a share of profits from GM’s 2008 television campaign for their Buick and Chevrolet cars in which the song, ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’, was used.

General Motors have been hit hard by the economic downturn, and sought protection from bankruptcy recently. Neither the company, nor music licensing company Asche and Spencer, have publicly responded to Dando’s claims.

The Lemonheads enjoyed several hits in both the USA and Europe in the 1990s, including ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’, which charted twice in the UK, ‘Into Your Arms’ and a cover version of Simon and Garfunkel's ‘Mrs Robinson’.