Music group Heavy Young Heathens filed a lawsuit on Feb 17 in opposition to NBC, US 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 his or her quick program final week.
The group, comprised of brothers Robert and Aron Marderosian, are recognized for his or her compositions in quite a few tv reveals, motion pictures, trailers, commercials and video video games, equivalent to ESPN’s 30 For 30, Adidas, Deadpool and The Simpsons.
One of their compositions, House Of The Rising Sun is predicated on a standard folks song, however their model of it “is a signature song of theirs all through the world,” because it has been famously used for the movie The Magnificent Seven and Ford auto commercials.
During the staff figure skating occasion of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Knierim and Frazier used the composition for the quick program portion of the occasion through which the United States received a silver medal for.
In the lawsuit first obtained by Reuters, the Marderosian brothers allege they had been by no means contacted by Knierim or Frazier, Team USA or US Figure Skating about licensing the monitor for his or her efficiency. They additionally allege NBC, USA Network and Peacock by no means inquired both because it was broadcasted on all talked about platforms.
“These violations trigger nice hurt to the worth of (the Marderosians) command for such a well-known piece of their recording catalogue, and insults the integrity of their skilled status. While Knierim/Frazier, USFS, NBC, USA, PEACOCK are all cashing in on the income the 2022 Winter Olympics generate, (the Marderosians) have been and proceed to be disadvantaged of what their creation House Of The Rising Sun earns them per license,” the lawsuit reads.
Mick Marderosian, the group’s lawyer and father, informed Reuters the Knierim and Frazier’s agent “mainly refused to hearken to our challenge.” He additionally mentioned NBC eliminated posts of the efficiency because the lawsuit was filed.
The group says they’re “entitled to damages in an quantity to be confirmed at trial.”
USA Today has reached out to NBC and US Figure Skating on the lawsuit.
This is not the primary 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. – USA Today/Tribune News Service
Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, of the United States, compete within the pairs free skate program throughout the figure skating competitors at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Photo: AP
