Psychedelic rock duo MGMT have come to an agreement with the French government over the unauthorised use of one of their songs for a political rally.

President Nicolas Sarkozy's party Union for a Popular Movement had used Kidsfor promotional videos without permission earlier this year. Sarkozy's party had initially apologised for the slip-up, and offered the band €1.25 as a payment for "symbolic damages". But when Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser threatened to sue, the party was forced to pay up.

“Normally MGMT steers clear of mixing music and politics, but the fact that the UPM French political party used our song without permission while pushing anti-piracy legislation seemed a little wack,” read a statement from the band. They said the undisclosed sum had been donated to artists rights’ organisations.

The pair are now working on the follow-up to their successful debut album in New York and California.