Carla Bruni sues French newspaper for pirating song

Carla Bruni, the wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, is suing a French newspaper for 'counterfeiting' after it aired her take of a popular French wartime song due to feature in her forthcoming album without her permission.

In February, French daily Midi Libre posted an audio clip of the French first lady singing an Italian version of Douce France - Sweet France - one of the most famous songs by iconic crooner Charles Trenet, reports the Telegraph.

Some people viewed Bruni's choice of Trenet's 68-year-old classic as a vocal way of supporting her husband, who is expected to seek a second term of office in next year's general election.

Written during the Second World war, the song evokes memories of a patriotic France, church bells, family picnics and long lunches.

Several other French websites aired the 50-second clip. Bertrand de Labbey, Bruni-Sarkzoy's agent, denounced the site's methods at the time.

"This extract was a simple draft version, a preparatory work and not a definitive recording," he said last month.

Midi Libre denied any wrongdoing, saying it had published the song to commemorate the anniversary of Trenet's death as he came from Narbonne in southwestern France, where the newspaper is circulated.

"We were light years away from thinking that Carla Bruni would be affected by (our decision to air the song)", which it described as part of French national heritage and polled as one of the country's all-time favourites.