In Milan, the figure skating world has faced an unexpected challenge involving copyright law, impacting artistic performances. Spanish skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate garnered attention for his Minions-themed routine set to “Despicable Me” songs. Concerns arose when he feared not obtaining permission to use the music at the Winter Olympics. However, after public support and pressure, Sabate received clearance to perform to a Pharrell Williams song, “Freedom.”
During a practice session near the Milano Ice Skating Arena, Sabate showcased his routine without his iconic Minions attire. Despite this, the familiar Minions soundtrack inspired him to skate with newfound freedom, much to his relief and joy.
The evolution of figure skating rules in 2014 allowed skaters to incorporate lyrical songs, leading to innovative performances but also sparking copyright disputes. A lawsuit involving U.S. skaters Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, who performed to a cover of “House of the Rising Sun,” highlighted the complexities of song licensing in the sport.
To navigate these challenges, ClicknClear, a service facilitating music rights clearance, has been utilized. Canadian ice dance pair Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac faced a last-minute routine change due to licensing issues with Prince’s “Thunder,” opting to skate to “Sex Bomb” by Tom Jones instead.
The current upheaval in the figure skating world has inadvertently drawn more attention to the sport, casting skaters like Sabate and Lauriault-Le Gac as underdogs worth rooting for. Sabate, a modest skater from a smaller federation, now prepares to perform for a larger and more invested audience, showcasing his passion for the sport.
