What's Happening?
Jonny Greenwood, a member of Radiohead, and filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson have requested the removal of music from their film 'Phantom Thread' from the documentary 'Melania.' The music was reportedly used without their permission by Universal Pictures, which holds the copyright. Greenwood and Anderson stated that the use of the music, specifically the track 'Barbara Rose,' breaches Greenwood's composer agreement as he was not consulted about this third-party use. The documentary, which covers the 20 days leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration, has been released internationally and is set to stream on Prime Video. It features other notable tracks from artists like The Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson.
Why It's Important?
This situation highlights the
ongoing issues of intellectual property rights and the importance of obtaining proper permissions for the use of creative works. For artists and creators, unauthorized use of their work can lead to financial and reputational impacts. The demand from Greenwood and Anderson underscores the need for studios and distributors to adhere to contractual agreements and respect the rights of composers and filmmakers. This incident could prompt other artists to scrutinize their agreements and the use of their work more closely, potentially leading to more stringent enforcement of intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry.
What's Next?
Universal Pictures has yet to respond to the takedown request from Greenwood and Anderson. If the music is not removed, it could lead to legal action, which might set a precedent for similar cases in the future. The outcome of this situation could influence how studios handle music licensing and the use of creative works in films and documentaries. Additionally, the response from Universal Pictures and the documentary's performance on streaming platforms could impact its financial success and public reception.
