In today’s media landscape, the issue of copyright compliance is becoming increasingly relevant. Regardless of genre or scale, whether it be large public performances or creative projects by small performers, there are situations where authors’ rights are violated or used without proper permission. This causes public outcry and forces discussion about ethics, the obligations of performers, and responsibility for protecting intellectual property.
At the same time, legislation offers mechanisms to ensure a balance between creativity and rights: the author’s right to be recognized, the right to remuneration, and the right to independently dispose of the use of their work. However, the implementation of these mechanisms in practice often faces challenges such as negligence, misunderstanding, or disregard for the rules.
This situation raises key questions: how exactly should the legal system work to ensure effective protection; who is responsible for violations; what should the rules be from a moral and ethical point of view; how is justice restored when the law is broken.
What are the scandals involving the Gomin choir and Tonya Matvienko?
Ukrainian songwriter and producer Yevgen Rybchinsky, son of the famous Yuri Rybchinsky, raised the issue of copyright infringement in the domestic show business. He cited a number of examples of piracy, including the performance of songs without proper permission by individual artists and groups. He made this statement during his appearance on the program «Balyuchi Temy» (Hot Topics).
Yevhen Rybchynskyi emphasized that many performers, especially lesser-known ones, avoid paying for the use of musical works. According to him, they even submit forged documents to YouTube, as a result of which authors are forced to defend their interests in court.
As for well-known performers, Yevhen Rybchynskyi named Tonya Matvienko. He stressed that his family does not touch her because the songs she performs were written for her mother, Nina Matvienko, whom the Rybchynskys treated “like a member of their own family. «However, Yevhen Rybchynsky warned that Tonya Matvienko may have problems with other authors. In particular, this concerns songs by Igor Poklad, such as “Oy, Letily Diki Gusy” and “Tri Porady.» Yevgeny Rybchinsky noted that Igor Poklad’s widow, Svetlana, will definitely take Tonya Matvienko to court.
He also criticized the artist’s approach, stating that she was applying the principle of «if it’s free, then you don’t have to pay,» but at the same time called on her to resolve the conflict peacefully and meet with the families of Igor Poklad and Yuriy Rybchynskyi.
Separately, Yevhen Rybchynskyi focused on the situation with the Gomin choir and its director Vadym Yatsenko. He recalled an incident in August 2025 when Yurii Rybchynskyi made claims against the choir for performing works without permission. Later, Yevhen himself helped to resolve the misunderstanding. According to him, the responsibility should lie with the administration or management, not the performers themselves, since the choir is municipal and Vadym Yatsenko is only the artistic director.
«It’s a choir. And they choose what they sing. They should have a manager who deals with all such financial issues. This is not the fault of those who sing, but of those who… This is a municipal choir. This choir does not belong to that guy Vadik who sings. Yatsenko is just a performer, and a brilliant one at that» said Yevgen Rybchinsky.
Also, as Yevgen Rybchynsky noted, he did not personally meet with Vadym Yatsenko, but the artistic director of the choir had a meeting with Yuriy Rybchynsky, during which he apologized and brought money.
«I never met him. I arranged for my father to meet him… My father spent the day with him, and everyone was very pleased. He brought money, he apologized, and now they are working with my father» said Yevhen Rybchynskyi.
The Gomin choir performs a number of well-known works, including the song «U doly svoia vesna» (Spring in My Destiny) with lyrics by Yuriy Rybchynsky (music by Volodymyr Ivasyuk, arranged by Gomin choir artist Igor Hutsayluk), as well as the song “Gai, Zelenyi Gai” (Green Grove) with lyrics by Yuriy Rybchynskyi (music by Oleksandr Zlotnyk).
After the release of the show «Balyuchi Temy» (Hot Topics), where Yevhen Rybchynskyi criticized performers for copyright infringement, the topic sparked lively discussions on social media. Rybchynsky himself published a post emphasizing the importance of complying with the law: «If you don’t respect copyright, you have no place in the European Union!»
The widow of composer Igor Poklad, Svitlana, noted that she did not sleep after this situation because she faced a wave of hate. She stressed that this was not about a specific person or song, but about breaking the law. In her opinion, society considers works that have become “folk” to be its property, and this is a “terrible social attitude.”
Svitlana Poklad reminded that it is the performers, not the authors or their descendants, who should apply for a license to use the works. She also said that in the case of the Homin Choir, she personally contacted the agency and transferred the rights, however, this should be done by the performers themselves. «The authors do not track where, when and who performs their songs,»Svitlana Poklad emphasized, calling for an end to hate.
Serhiy Koval also spoke in the comments, defending the conductor of the Lviv Homin Choir, Vadym Yatsenko. Serhiy Koval noted that the Rybchyns’ family publicly accused Vadym Yatsenko of violating rights, although the Homin Choir belongs to the Lviv Municipal Organ Hall, which is responsible for all legal issues.
Serhiy Koval emphasized that it is supposedly thanks to Vadym Yatsenko’s talent that the Homin Choir has become popular, and the group regularly donates significant amounts to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ukrainian People’s Liberation Army. He emphasized that behind these successes lies hard collective work, and not just writing poems.
Thus, the conflict in Ukrainian show business has once again intensified the discussion about the importance of observing copyright and respecting creativity.
Scandals surrounding copyright violations in the music industry once again confirm: respect for creativity and compliance with the law are not trifles, but the foundation for the development of culture and honest relations in show business. Every performer should remember that behind each song there is an author, his work and legacy, and only the legal use of works guarantees justice and protection of the interests of all parties.
At the same time, it is important to understand that copyright is not only a formality, but also a matter of professional ethics and reputation. And it is the correct legal registration that can protect against conflicts and misunderstandings.
If you have similar situations or questions regarding the legal use of works, registration of rights or conclusion of contracts, you can always contact us. We will help protect your interests and avoid risks so that creativity remains in the spotlight, and not litigation.
copyright / copyright protection / intellectual property / violation of copyright
