Wise Music Group claims NewJeans’ “Bubble Gum” infringes on Shakatak’s “Easier Said Than Done”, ADOR denies

In news that’s annoying but also funny as hell given the context, ADOR has released a statement denying plagiarism after Wise Music Group sent an official Letter Of Claim last month to ADOR, HYBE, Korea Music Copyright Association (KMCA), and Sony Music Publishing Korea.

According to their law firm, they claim that NewJeans‘ “Bubble Gum” infringes on the copyright of British band Shakatak‘s “Easier Said Than Done“.

“We have confirmed that the song ‘Bubble Gum’, composed and written by 250, Oscar Bell, Sophie Simmons, and Gigi and sung by NewJeans, is using components of the song ‘Easier Said Than Done’ by Shakatak without permission from WISE MUSIC GROUP. As a result, we demand immediate measures of response, including the discontinued sale of ‘Bubble Gum’.
We have included detailed demands including the discontinued sale of ‘Bubble Gum’, the reporting of all profits from this work, a legal change in ownership, a seal, and payment for damages.”

The report also includes a part of the letter that they specify was infringement.

In response, ADOR call on their side to provide credible analysis.

1. On June 17, Shakatak’s legal team provided proof of their claims, and ADOR’s legal team responded promptly on June 21.
2. ADOR’s response stated: “‘Bubble Gum’ has not used Shakatak’s compositions without permission. We request a credible analysis report on this matter.”
3. On June 21, Shakatak indicated they would provide the report soon, but it has yet to be received.
4. The party raising the issue is required to submit a report proving plagiarism, and Shakatak must respond accordingly.

I mean … I’m sure they’re working on it.

——

Either way … sigh.

Well, I’ve been pretty consistent on this topic in that I don’t really care for soundalikes trying to be litigated as plagiarism. The melody has a similar chord progression, which could maybe get them a credit … but if you’re going in that direction with music (especially within specific genres and with all the retro and/or easy-listening shit going around now) then it’s going to be potentially endless*.

*Yes, I feel the same about the TWS/GD&TOP and LE SSERAFIM/Tyla and all that shit, which is why I don’t post about it unless to call it annoying. To me, the point here is about music, in general, not one group or another.

Of course, what I meant by the context is that Shakatak seem to have more of a case than what Min Hee Jin herself is claiming against BELIFT LAB and ILLIT over NewJeans, with her vague lookalike/soundalike/rollout-alike stuff. So this is kind of a case of fuck around and find out to me.

Still, it’s another sign that the kind of stuff that she started and BELIFT then dumped fuel onto is only going to encourage more and more of this crap. And certainly it’s only going to encourage fandoms and netizens and those shitty YouTube accounts to reach even further. As always, I try to ignore it unless it’s copy/paste or there’s incriminating factors (like reaching out for permission prior or whatever).

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