By DAVE SKRETTA, Assocaited Press Sports activities Author
MILAN (AP) — On the identical day Amber Glenn gained Olympic gold as part of the team event, and stepped away from social media as a result of backlash over her feedback on politics and the LGBTQ+ community, the American determine skater ended up with one other headache.
Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, who produces music below the title CLANN, took to social media late Sunday to object to the usage of his tune “The Return,” which Glenn had utilized in her free skate — and has been utilizing for the previous two years with out situation.
“So simply discovered an Olympic determine skater used certainly one of my songs with out permission for his or her routine. It aired all around the world … what? Is that standard apply for the Olympics?” McKinnon posted to X, shortly after the staff competitors had ended.
Determine skaters are required to acquire permission for the music they use, however that course of is hardly simple.
Typically the label or report producer owns the copyright, different instances the artist themselves, and infrequently there are a number of events concerned. Skaters typically will piece collectively totally different cuts of music, too. Throw in third-party corporations similar to ClicknClear that attempt to clean out the permission course of, and the whole copyright issue becomes murky and nuanced.
In keeping with McKinnon, “The deal I’ve with my label is that I alone can provide the OK to license my music.”
Glenn was not out there for touch upon the music situation early Monday. She deliberate to take the time off from coaching after which depart Milan to apply elsewhere forward of the person ladies’s occasion, which begins Feb. 17 with the quick program.
Messages left by The Related Press with U.S. Determine Skating about Glenn’s copyright drawback weren’t instantly returned.
The problem just isn’t the primary little bit of controversy involving Glenn on the Milan Cortina Video games.
The outspoken LGBTQ+ rights activist stated she acquired threats on social media after saying throughout a pre-Olympics press convention that the queer group goes by means of a “onerous time” amid the political local weather below President Donald Trump.
“I used to be upset as a result of I’ve by no means had so many individuals want me hurt earlier than, only for being me and talking about being first rate — human rights and decency,” Glenn stated Sunday night time, carrying an LGBTQ+ pin on her staff jacket throughout the staff medal ceremony.
“In order that was actually disappointing,” Glenn stated, “and I do assume it type of lowered that pleasure for this.”
Copyrights by no means was an issue in determine skating as a result of the Worldwide Skating Union barred any music involving vocals, and most classical music is taken into account public area. However when these guidelines have been relaxed in 2014, and trendy music started for use, artists quickly demanded that they obtain compensation for his or her work.
All of it got here to a head on the 2022 Beijing Olympics, when one of many indie artists who lined “Home of the Rising Solar” objected to its use by American pairs skaters Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier. The following lawsuit prompted the ISU to step in and attempt to develop programs that will assist skaters keep away from copyright infringement claims.
“It’s by no means been a difficulty after which out of the blue it’s, and I don’t perceive why,” Glenn advised the AP forward of the Winter Video games. “I perceive there was a giant upset on the final Olympics as a result of some artist — I’m sorry, they determined to be (jerks). Like, they couldn’t simply recognize this Olympic staff competing? It wasn’t even their tune to start with; it was a canopy.
“It’s not like we’re a TV present and enjoying music within the background for an emotional scene. It simply seems like a money seize for various corporations, and it’s actually upsetting that they will’t simply recognize that their music has impressed one thing inventive.”
Justin Dillon, the director of excessive efficiency for U.S. Determine Skating, stated the governing physique has tried to assist its skaters keep away from any copyright claims. It’s unclear whether or not the group performed any function in getting Glenn’s music accepted.
Quite a few followers and even fellow skaters have been fast to hurry to the American’s protection.
“I’d be so honored that somebody desires to skate to my music and provides the music some superb publicity,” stated retired Canadian pairs skater Meagan Duhamel, a two-time Olympian and three-time medalist. “I used a chunk of music for the 2018 Olympics and the artist was so excited she flew to the Olympics to pay attention and watch it reside.”
After Nathan Chen gained gold on the Beijing Video games with a free skate set to “Rocket Man,” Elton John effusively praised the American for his efficiency. Chen later collaborated with the musical legend for a music video to a model of “Maintain Me Nearer.”
“We actually depend on our music,” stated Alysa Liu, a part of the gold medal-winning U.S. staff. “With out music, we’re probably not our sport.”
