Universal Music Group has signed a global licensing agreement with rights-tech platform ClicknClear to allow athletes in gymnastics, figure skating, and other choreographed sports to legally use music in routines.
The deal addresses a licensing gap between the music industry and music use in competitive sports, according to ClicknClear’s Founder and CEO, Chantal Epp.
It comes in the wake of growing copyright issues involving figure skaters. Last week, Russian figure skater Petr Gumennik was forced to change his short program music two days before the men’s program at the Milan Cortina Olympics, the Associated Press reported.
Less than two weeks ago, the AP also reported that Spanish skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate was unable to use a medley from Illumination Entertainment’s animated film Minions — which he has used all season — for the same event.
In 2022, US figure skaters Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier were sued by musical duo Heavy Young Heathens over the use a cover of House of the Rising Sun for the skaters’ performance at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The lawsuit also named US Figure Skating and broadcaster NBC among the defendants. The parties reached a settlement later that year.
“We have seen first-hand the demand from athletes for access to UMG’s catalog, which contains some of the world’s most iconic music, and I have no doubt this news will be welcomed.”
Chantal Epp, ClicknClear
Commenting on the UMG deal, ClicknClear’s Epp said: “We have seen first-hand the demand from athletes for access to UMG’s catalog, which contains some of the world’s most iconic music, and I have no doubt this news will be welcomed. At the same time, the deal provides significant new monetization opportunities for UMG’s artists who can now benefit from this growing global opportunity.”
UMG and ClicknClear noted that while venues typically secure public performance rights for events, athletes have lacked a direct option to obtain the rights needed to use music in choreographed performances.
The companies estimate that more than 150 million athletes participate in choreographed sports globally, creating what they describe as “a multi-billion-dollar demand for music licensing.”
Following the deal, ClicknClear will now provide access to UMG’s catalog, adding to existing agreements it holds with music publishers and independent labels.
Sports covered under the arrangement include gymnastics, figure skating, artistic swimming, dance, dressage, jump rope, cheerleading, indoor skydiving, marching band, color guard, and show choir. Athletes can license tracks through ClicknClear’s online platform for use in both live competitions and recorded content.
“We’re excited for our artists to benefit from this deal which will help them generate new revenue streams and reach new audiences around the world.”
James Healy, Universal Music Group
James Healy, SVP Digital Strategy and Business Development at UMG, said: “The collision of sport and music presents meaningful opportunities for our artists. We are delighted to be working with ClicknClear, whose simple, tech-driven platform solves an unmet need in this space – licensing for choreographed sports. We’re excited for our artists to benefit from this deal which will help them generate new revenue streams and reach new audiences around the world.”
ClicknClear has partnerships in place with international sports federations including World Gymnastics, the International Skating Union, and the US National Federation of State High School Associations. The company serves as the approved provider for music licensing and license verification tools to these organizations. It also works with event producers including the International Olympic Committee and works with broadcasting partners and platforms such as FloSports.
Additionally, ClicknClear also offers rights management, licensing, license verification, and global video-on-demand licensing services.
According to the press release, the World Intellectual Property Organization recognized ClicknClear with a global award last year for its use of technology to address licensing in sports.
For UMG, the deal marks its latest in the sports field after partnering with FIFA five years ago to launch FIFA Sound, which they said was designed ‘to create innovative and meaningful connections between football fans, music enthusiasts, players, artists, and the game and songs they all love’.
Music Business Worldwide
