Music group sues NBC, US figure skating pair over use of song during Winter Olympics

[Mikey Radio]

Music group sues NBC, US figure skating pair over use of song during Winter Olympics​

Music group sues NBC, US figure skating pair over use of song during Winter Olympics

Heavy Young Heathens allege they were not contacted about the use of their music during the team figure skating competition at the Beijing Olympics.

www.usatoday.com

Music group Heavy Young Heathens filed a lawsuit on Thursday against NBC, U.S. Figure Skating and figure skating pair Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, saying their copyright for the song "House of the Rising Sun" was violated when the pair used it for their short program earlier this week.

In the lawsuit first obtained by Reuters, they allege they were never contacted by Knierim or Frazier, Team USA or U.S. Figure Skating about licensing the track for their performance. They also allege NBC, USA Network and Peacock never inquired either since it was broadcasted on all mentioned platforms.

While Knierim/Frazier, USFS, NBC, USA, PEACOCK are all profiting from the revenue the 2022 Winter Olympics generate, (the Marderosians) have been and continue to be deprived of what their creation 'House of the Rising Sun' earns them per license," the lawsuit reads.

 

[TheBigA]

My expectation is that NBC/Universal has a rider absolving itself for responsibility in this matter. The clearances should have been obtained by the skaters and their team. Every musical number was identified on screen during the performance. So there was no criminal intent. My question is are the plaintiffs the legal contact for the music, or do they subcontract out to an agent who handles such placements. This is not a common performance of this particular song. The other question is does the IOC have blanket waivers for the music used in these events? Otherwise this kind of thing would happen more frequently.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Also isn't the IOC responsible for what songs get played in the stadium where the skating takes place?? I doubt NBC knew they would be in this situation

https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/zjvqkarexvx/IP%20OLYMPICS%20COPYRIGHT%20complaint.pdf

Also in the USA today article this band and their label has a history of licensing disputes. Back in 2017 WB was sued over the use of their song for the show Lucifer.

Mick Marderosian, the group's attorney and father, told Reuters the Knierim and Frazier's agent "basically refused to listen to our issue." He also said NBC removed posts of the performance since the lawsuit was filed.

The group says they are "entitled to damages in an amount to be proven at trial."

U.S. Figure Skating told USA TODAY they do not comment on legal matters. USA TODAY has reached out to NBC on the lawsuit.

This isn't the first time the group has filed a lawsuit over licensing. In 2017, they sued Warner Bros. over the use of the theme song for FOX's "Lucifer."

 

[TheBigA]

Also isn't the IOC responsible for what songs get played in the stadium where the skating takes place?

Usually the writers of the song are due a royalty for the venue. But if the venue is owned by the Chinese government, who do you sue?

 

[Don CT]

This would be an issue for the IOC and the International Skating Federation. NBC is not the only network taking the international feed.