The performance in figure skating is always connected to music. But simply using any piece is not possible; the license rights must be clarified. The Spaniard Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté has now also found out.
The Olympic Games are the highlight for most athletes. Preparing for the event takes months or sometimes years for the active participants. Especially in figure skating, everything is precisely timed for the big performance. Creating a routine that impresses both the audience and the jury is a complex process. The right music must be found that harmonizes perfectly with the movements on the ice and the difficulties presented, as Olympic champion Alyona Savchenko recently revealed in the Sportschau podcast.
Spanish figure skater becomes freestyle music in the meantime forbidden
Just finding suitable music can take a long time. But even if you have found them, it is still not clear whether you can use them. Keyword: licenses. The Spaniard Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté has now also found out. Just days before his debut on the biggest stage possible, he faced a colossal challenge.
Throughout the season he walked to the sounds of the animated film “Minions” – including a corresponding costume. However, due to a problem with copyright clearance for his music, he was initially banned from using it at the Winter Games in Italy. “To find out this last Friday, so close to the biggest competition of my life, is incredibly disappointing”wrote the six-time Spanish champion on Instagram.
The Spanish figure skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté in the Minion costume
World association recommends Music platform
It’s not the first time that music has been banned from being used in figure skating. In the past, says ARD figure skating expert Daniel Weiss, it was easier. “You used to reach into the record box, now you reach into the CD or MP3 box, and think of some great music. The choreographers often suggest this because they say: ‘Hey, next year I’m planning on doing this and that with you.'”
In Germany, the rights were then clarified via the collecting society GEMA, an organizer paid a corresponding fee and the music was allowed to be used. “The opinion is actually clear that GEMA law, which may be called something different in other countries, still applies to figure skating and other sports today.”Weiss continued.
However, the world association ISU sees it differently and urges athletes to be careful. In the USA, a figure skating couple was sued and now has to pay a fine together with the organizer and association, reports Weiss. That’s why the ISU suggests looking for suitable music on the “ClicknClear” platform.
What costs arise for the active people?
Their database includes over 3.5 million licensed songs, including numerous majorlabels. If you find a suitable song, you can purchase the usage rights for a certain period of time for a fee. The athletes therefore incur additional costs. Weiss believes that this shouldn’t be a problem at the very top level. But he also thinks further: “But what about the popular sports that compete somewhere in the village? They also have to have these rights clarified. And a big argument has broken out at the moment.”
Daniel Weiss while reporting on the 2022 Winter Olympics together with Kathrina Witt.
According to his understanding, the GEMA law mentioned by the experts applies: “The licenses are paid for. Everyone should get their money, but you shouldn’t overdo it either.” Especially since numerous songs are still being adapted to the needs of the participants. However, it is not at all clear whether producers are allowed to subsequently edit the songs purchased on the platform recommended by the world association. “The athlete is completely overwhelmed by this. I think the associations and the organizers clearly bear responsibility for this, as they always have“, says Weiss. The fines could lead to an athlete going bankrupt afterwards.
Guarino Sabaté is close to a solution
In the meantime, something is still happening in the “Minions” dispute. Rights holder Universal has now granted Guarino Sabaté rights to use it, according to reports from Spain. However, the dispute has not yet been resolved. Parts of the music used are owned by other rights holders, so approval is still missing.
But the matter seems to be on the right track. Guarino Sabaté has now taken his Instagram post about the ban offline and has since shared a post from a popular Spanish figure skating account in which the matter was announced to be quickly clarified.
But what would actually happen if there was no agreement before the competition on February 10th? Then Guarino Sabaté would have to fall back on an old program, one that he hasn’t run in a competition for almost a year now. At least the music rights seem to have been clarified.
