Music rights clearance issues (policy being implemented by the ISU starting in 2024)

[overedge]

According to the Twitter/X, Seb Mackinnon actually controls his own rights and licensing. Which may be why he was so surprised to hear his music used without him (allegedly) knowing.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

If musicians and other creatives got a nickel for every time they were told they should give their work away because the exposure would be worth it, they might actually have enough money to make a living. Most artists have to fight every day to prove that their work has value - not just to the world but to themselves. The ones that succeed are the ones who know their worth and stand up for it.

Skaters pay their coaches, costume makers, choreographers, and everyone else who helps them create a program. Why are the people who make the music at the heart of it the only ones expected to work for free?

 

[Sylvia]

Mel C's message to Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson who are performing to Spice Girls in today's RD:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020820454022291616

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

According to the Twitter/X, Seb Mackinnon actually controls his own rights and licensing. Which may be why he was so surprised to hear his music used without him (allegedly) knowing.

It sounds like he might have simply forgotten that this particular piece was a commissioned "work for hire" where he retained no copyright.

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

If musicians and other creatives got a nickel for every time they were told they should give their work away because the exposure would be worth it, they might actually have enough money to make a living. Most artists have to fight every day to prove that their work has value - not just to the world but to themselves. The ones that succeed are the ones who know their worth and stand up for it.

Skaters pay their coaches, costume makers, choreographers, and everyone else who helps them create a program. Why are the people who make the music at the heart of it the only ones expected to work for free?

I was going to bring up this exact point. Artists are constantly asked, and expected, to work for free "for the exposure". It happens to musicians, writers, illustrators, actors, etc. Their work has value. If you want to use it, it therefore has value to you, you should pay for it.

People should be paid for their work. Exceptions shouldn't be made because it's art. Especially in situations where the system is designed to pay the artist (even if only a little), they shouldn't be asked to make an exception; they should be paid.

 

[Vagabond]

According to the Twitter/X, Seb Mackinnon actually controls his own rights and licensing. Which may be why he was so surprised to hear his music used without him (allegedly) knowing.

Whatever do you mean? Is "X," the company, making an official statement? How could it possibly know?

BTW, don't believe everything you read.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

What I find most funny about that stuff is that people like Madonna or Elton John get excited when skaters use their music and some random nobodies that 95% of the world havn't ever heard of don't want their music to be played somewhere where new people might actually hear it (I checked out the singer that Guinnard & Fabri use the first time yesterday for example, cause they linked her in their story, which is a great way to get some people interested outside your usual market)

I mean, I don't think that's weird at all. Madonna and Elton John are rolling in it and don't really need the small amount they'd get from this situation. They can afford to be generous. Small artists likely are struggling and need all the money they can get and can't afford to be generous. Not weird at all.

As far as the artist for Amber's music, I'm glad everything seems to have worked out. This does seem like an example where he would have been better to get his facts straight before he accused someone on the internet. It wouldn't have been that hard to check with his label first and THEN tweet if he really wanted to.

 

[Jay42]

Whatever do you mean? Is "X," the company, making an official statement? How could it possibly know?

BTW, don't believe everything you read.

I can't find it anymore but it looks like someone explained to him that the way the licensing works for skating broadcasts is similar to how it works for radio not synching (his words I don't know what the difference is). He then congratulated Amber. So I think this was more a case of the artist not understanding how licensing works in these kinds of scenarios.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

I can't find it anymore but it looks like someone explained to him that the way the licensing works for skating broadcasts is similar to how it works for radio not synching (his words I don't know what the difference is). He then congratulated Amber. So I think this was more a case of the artist not understanding how licensing works in these kinds of scenarios.

Syncing is basically when a piece of music/song is used for part of a TV show, movie, video game, etc.

 

[tangerine dream]

Glad the issue was worked out quickly. I just can't imagine any way USFS would have allowed any of their skaters to go to the Olympics without full music rights given what happened with K/F four years ago.

 

[Jay42]

Syncing is basically when a piece of music/song is used for part of a TV show, movie, video game, etc.

Ah that makes sense, thank you.

 

[Sylvia]

Whatever do you mean? Is "X," the company, making an official statement? How could it possibly know?

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020778746966638813

 

[Miezekatze]

Is Contratz a really en vogue new spelling that I’m too old to know or is he just bad at typing?

 

[peibeck]

that this guy relied on X's Community Notes rather than calling his agent or record label. Mess.

 

[Miezekatze]

If musicians and other creatives got a nickel for every time they were told they should give their work away because the exposure would be worth it, they might actually have enough money to make a living. Most artists have to fight every day to prove that their work has value - not just to the world but to themselves. The ones that succeed are the ones who know their worth and stand up for it.

Skaters pay their coaches, costume makers, choreographers, and everyone else who helps them create a program. Why are the people who make the music at the heart of it the only ones expected to work for free?

But it's not as if skaters are not willing to "pay" for the existing music, AFAIK every skater affected has tried in best conscience to obtain the necessary rights through whatever means the ISU offered or they worked with their federation or both , ...

It shouldn't be necessary for each skater to study international copyright law and contact every rights owner personally to get the necessary clearance.

And sorry, but the idea that many skaters are going to pay some indie artist to compose music for them is quite a bit unrealistic.

Many skaters can a) barely finance their training/costumes/ice time ... and b) I think it's very out of touch to think that 99% of skaters would be able to come up with a concept for a Free Dance or Long Program without any existing music, formulate what sort of program they need, what the technical and artistic requirements are, find an indie artist who is supposed to compose it for them and what if the result is not what they expected or doesn't work, would they pay over and over again or would the artist get a fixed pay and have to provide changes over and over again?
I think if anything, in such a scenario 90% of the skaters would end up using AI to generate something and then there would be that one artsy top skater/couple who'd actually manage to make something like that work..

 

[Sylvia]

Crystal Waters (artist of the “100% Pure Love” song in their RD) congratulated Carreira/Ponomarenko:

Crystal Waters on Instagram: "Congrats to 🇺🇸 USA Ice Dancers @christinacarreira & @anthony.ponomarenko for their incredible performance at the Milan-Cortina Olympics - I 100% PURE LOVE 💕 it! - Crystal #carreiraponomarenko #icedancers #olympics

105 likes, 11 comments - crystalwaters on February 9, 2026: "Congrats to 🇺🇸 USA Ice Dancers @christinacarreira & @anthony.ponomarenko for their incredible performance at the Milan-Cortina Olympics - I 100% PURE LOVE 💕 it! - Crystal #carreiraponomarenko #icedancers #olympics #icedance...

www.instagram.com

 

[Spikefan]

This does seem like an example where he would have been better to get his facts straight before he accused someone on the internet.

Some love to play victim and rant/rave. At least he was willing to admit he was wrong.

 

[MacMadame]

And sorry, but the idea that many skaters are going to pay some indie artist to compose music for them is quite a bit unrealistic.

It depends on the skater(s) and artists. If an artist was a fan of a certain skater, I bet they could work something out. And if the skater is at the top, they could probably afford it like Kurt Browning did.

I look at the CDs of all the artists that Michelle Kwan skated to that I would have never bought otherwise.

I have never, ever bought music because someone skated to it.

 

[Skaterbob]

I have never, ever bought music because someone skated to it.

Cool

 

[SkateSand]

I have never, ever bought music because someone skated to it.

I don't think it's because the skater skated to it (at least not in my case) - it's because you were introduced to an artist you didn't know and liked what you heard. When Katia Gordeeva skated to Jesse Cook music, I bought the music because I loved it. Same with Michelle when she skated to Loreena McKennitt. Loved the music, bought the CDs. A lot of my CDs were purchased because I was hearing music in skating that they weren't playing on my local radio stations.

 

[Sylvia]

Jennifer Thomas has long appreciated when figure skaters use her music (Yoshida/Morita’s “Rise of the Phoenix” FD):
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUhbGx-kkYL/

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

It depends on the skater(s) and artists. If an artist was a fan of a certain skater, I bet they could work something out. And if the skater is at the top, they could probably afford it like Kurt Browning did.


I have never, ever bought music because someone skated to it.

Kurt Browning was good friends with the bands that wrote the music for him so he probably didn't have to pay much. The only music I've ever purchased because it was used in skating was the Porridge Men that the Kerrs skated to (John Kerr in a kilt!). It was an excellent CD to play on Robbie Burns night.

 

[Dave of the North]

Looks like there was a clearance problem but now cleared up, according to this CBC/AP article:

Seb McKinnon article

"The issue of music rights can be complex and confusing," Glenn said in a statement. "Seems like there was a hiccup in that whole process. I'm glad we cleared things up with Seb and I look forward to collaborating with him."

 

[Sylvia]

Amber posted this statement on X 4 hours ago: https://x.com/AmberGlenn_/status/2021156009926881314

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021156009926881314

(quoted in the CBC/AP article by Dave Skretta, linked above)
"... The issue of music rights can be complex and confusing. Seems like there was a hiccup in that whole process. I'm glad we cleared things up with Seb and I look forward to collaborating with him.
It was a dream come true to perform at the Olympic Games and to have Seb acknowledge my performance and congratulate me afterward made the moment even more special," Glenn said. "It's my sincere hope that I was able to help create new fans of both figure skating and Seb. We will move forward and continue supporting both artists and the skating community."

Seb McKinnon reposted it and replied to his original X thread as follows: https://x.com/SebMcKinnon/status/2021206847059853361
Things were resolved! I love it when music inspires people. We can all agree that creators deserve clear consent, proper credit, and fair compensation when their work is used. It doesn't matter if you're the most famous artist the world or a complete unknown. It's for all.

He also posted this separately: https://x.com/SebMcKinnon/status/2021203536525263100

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021203536525263100

I’m very honoured that Amber chose my music for her routine, won gold no less! I’m happy things were resolved amicably and that we both stand for the protection of artist rights. I’m looking forward to watching her compete on February 19th with my music again. Go Amber!

From the AP article:

It was not clear where the hiccup occurred. Glenn has been performing to "The Return" for the past two years without any issues.
[...]
McKinnon, whose debut feature film will be released soon, said he was not trying to cause a controversy with his social media post.
"There's absolutely no hate on my side," he said. "At the same time I just want to make sure the artist rights are respected."

All's well that ends well.

 

[ellathink]

I'm so happy that the case with Amber and music rights for her program seems to be resolved. Waiting for the her programs to enjoy!

 

[MsZem]

So it IS possible for people to act like adults, communicate and resolve their issues!

Let that be an example to others, too

 

[MacMadame]

Cool

It's neither cool nor uncool. I'm just saying that not everyone runs out and buys music because they hear it from skating. It's impossible to know how many are like me and how many have bought music but I am guessing it's a blip. Otherwise, I'd expect an article about how someone's music shot up in the charts due to it being used, like happened with Kate Bush and Running Up That Hill when it was used on Stranger Things.

 

[kedrin]

And sorry, but the idea that many skaters are going to pay some indie artist to compose music for them is quite a bit unrealistic.

Didn't Johnny Weir once skate to music specifically composed for him?

 

[ginsengtea]

Aleksandr Selevko on his Prince SP

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021352707957969205

 

[Willin]

Prince was really stingy about rights when he was alive, but his estate has not cared at all. I'm not surprised he had no issues.