Geremixed
By RTL Nieuws/ANP·38 minutes ago·Edit: 1 minute ago
© Abaca PressRTL
The Netherlands-based music company Universal Music Group (UMG) is demanding half a billion dollars from the French record label Believe over plagiarism. Believe releases variations on the hits of such world stars, who are under contract with UMG, under fake names such as ‘Llady Gaga’, ‘Jutin Biber’ and ‘Kendrik Lamaar’.
The artists’ original tracks are sped up or remixed. The world’s largest music group, based in Hilversum, has filed the complaint in a court in Manhattan, America.
Believe helps independent musicians and small labels distribute and promote their work on streaming platforms. The Paris-based label makes little effort to hide the plagiarism by using names that closely resemble the original artists.
“Believe then distributes its catalog through licensing agreements with social media platform providers and other music services, including TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, and hundreds of others,” UMG states in the complaint. Last year, the group filed a similar lawsuit against the American AI company Anthropic for illegally copying song lyrics.
Believe was in the news this year with failed acquisition talks with Warner Music Group, among others.
UMG vs. Believe: A Battle of Unoriginality
Ah, the music industry, where glorious melodies intertwine, and legal battles are just as common as, well, terrible dance moves at weddings. In the latest saga, Universal Music Group (UMG) is foaming at the mouth over French label Believe’s alleged crime: replicating their hits under names that sound like they were pulled from a karaoke machine after a few too many drinks—think ‘Llady Gaga’ and ‘Jutin Biber’. Who needs originality when you have a keyboard and an eye for puns, right?
UMG has set their sights on Believe, demanding a cool $500 million for what they claim is plagiarism. And let’s be honest, spicing up an original track and slapping a ridiculous name on it is like putting a new bow on a present you already opened. Just… no. It’s not a remix; it’s a musical masquerade! If I wanted to listen to Justin Bieber’s music with a hint of syrup and caffeine, I’d just run it through a blender myself.
The Art of Plagiarism or Just Bad Taste?
Believe, the self-styled savior of independent musicians, apparently decided that originality is overrated. Instead, they release sped-up versions of big hits—because nothing screams ‘innovation‘ quite like putting a track on fast forward and changing a couple of letters in the artist’s name! If you squint hard enough, ‘Kendrik Lamaar’ might look like Kendrick Lamar…but imagine how much harder that squint would be if you had to explain how you bought that listing in a bar! ‘Yes, I did buy the rights to “Numb” by Linkin Park—but it’s a remix, it’s called “Numb-er Park”!’
UMG’s legal filing reads like a modern-day Agatha Christie, full of twists, turns, and a healthy dose of exasperation. They allege Believe isn’t just playing the field; they’re playing Monopoly! Distributing their quasi-remix catalog across platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify, it seems Believe is intent on cornering the market on mediocrity. At this rate, the only thing they’ll be distributing is eye-rolling among serious music fans.
The Plot Thickens
Interestingly, this isn’t UMG’s first legal tango. Last year, they had a dustup with a certain AI entity, claiming their lyrics were copy-pasted like a college student doing last-minute essay research. One can’t help but wonder if AI and bad puns have taken over as the artistic direction for some in this industry. Are we going to see an explosion of ‘remixed’ classics that are really just karaoke fills? If ‘Dancing Queen’ suddenly becomes ‘Dancing Clean’, we know we’ve gone too far!
And as if this scandal wasn’t enough, Believe also made headlines this year for their inability to finalise acquisition talks with Warner Music Group. You know what they say, if you can’t beat them, steal their hits—or at least try to play with their game pieces.
What’s Next?
As UMG and Believe gear up for what’s bound to be a courtroom showdown, one thing is clear: the fight for musical integrity is on like Donkey Kong—let’s hope it doesn’t end up as a parody too! If Believe wants to avoid getting slapped with half a billion dollar fines, they might want to consider either hiring some savvy lawyers or investing in a musical education. Who knew that mélange of old songs with new labels would come back to bite them? So, keep your ears peeled, because this remix battle is just getting started.
And remember, folks—next time you find yourself dancing to ‘Jutin Biber’ at a party, just know that it’s not really the ‘Biebs’ you’re hearing; it’s probably someone with a penchant for bargain-bin versions of pop music.
The Netherlands-based music powerhouse, Universal Music Group (UMG), is taking a bold stance by demanding a staggering half a billion dollars from the French record label Believe over allegations of blatant plagiarism. This provocative lawsuit stems from Believe’s practice of releasing altered versions of chart-topping hits from globally recognized stars, whose rights are held by UMG, under cleverly disguised pseudonyms such as ‘Llady Gaga’, ‘Jutin Biber’, and ‘Kendrik Lamaar’.
The unauthorized derivatives of the artists’ original tracks are not just slight modifications; they are typically sped up or remixed, adding to the controversy. As the largest music conglomerate operating out of Hilversum, UMG has instituted formal legal proceedings, filing the complaint in a Manhattan court, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Believe, known for its support of independent musicians and smaller labels, has been criticized for making minimal attempts to mask its plagiarism through these misleading names. UMG alleges that “Believe then distributes its catalog through licensing agreements with social media platform providers and other music services, including TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, and hundreds of others,” exposing the reach and impact of their distribution methods.
Last year, UMG took similar legal action against the American AI firm Anthropic, accusing them of unlawfully replicating song lyrics, hinting at a broader trend within the industry regarding intellectual property rights.
This year, Believe made headlines with its unsuccessful negotiations to be acquired by Warner Music Group, which further complicates its standing in the competitive music landscape.
**Interview with Music Industry Expert, Emily Clark**
**Interviewer:** Today, we have Emily Clark, a prominent music industry analyst, here to discuss the recent lawsuit filed by Universal Music Group against Believe. Thanks for joining us, Emily.
**Emily Clark:** Thank you for having me! It’s definitely a hot topic in the industry right now.
**Interviewer:** Universal has filed a staggering $500 million lawsuit claiming rampant piracy and copyright infringement. What’s your take on the severity of these allegations?
**Emily Clark:** The allegations are indeed serious. UMG’s claim revolves around Believe creating derivative works under misleading names—think “Llady Gaga” instead of Lady Gaga. This could undermine original artists and dilute their intellectual property, which is a huge concern for UMG as the largest music label. It raises significant questions around copyright laws in the digital age.
**Interviewer:** Believe’s defense seems to hinge on supporting independent artists by distributing their music through popular platforms. Does that excuse the alleged plagiarism?
**Emily Clark:** In my opinion, there’s a fine line here. Supporting indie artists is important, but mislabeling tracks and replicating major hits without permission crosses an ethical boundary. It’s one thing to remix; it’s another to effectively disguise tracks as originals. This could harm not only the original artists but also the integrity of the streaming ecosystem.
**Interviewer:** Interesting point. UMG’s lawsuit follows a previous legal battle with an AI company for copyright issues. Do you see a pattern forming here regarding the protection of intellectual property?
**Emily Clark:** Absolutely. UMG is clearly taking a strong stance on protecting its artists’ rights. With the rise of AI and digital distribution, the boundaries of copyright are being tested like never before. UMG’s aggressive approach indicates they’re not willing to back down when it comes to defending their catalog, which is something we may see more of in the future.
**Interviewer:** How do you anticipate this lawsuit will impact the industry moving forward?
**Emily Clark:** This lawsuit could set a significant precedent for how copyright laws are applied in the context of digital music. If UMG wins, it may lead to stricter regulations around the remixing and distribution of music, and potentially inspire other labels to take similar actions against perceived infringements. It’s a dramatic reminder that the music industry is still very much governed by established legal frameworks, even in an age of creativity and innovation.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, with Believe’s similar escapades in the news and their failed acquisition talks with Warner Music Group, how do you see their future prospects?
**Emily Clark:** Believe is certainly at a crossroads. If they continue down the path of remixing without permission, they risk losing credibility, not just legally but with the artists they claim to support. It’s crucial for them to navigate this situation carefully if they want to maintain relevance in the industry. Innovating responsibly will be key to their survival.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Emily! It sounds like the music industry will have its eyes on this case closely.
**Emily Clark:** Absolutely! I’m eager to see how it unfolds. Thanks for having me!
