Unfortunately, situations where artists’ creative works end up in the wrong hands without permission are not uncommon in the modern world. Music, like any other object of intellectual property, needs proper protection. When someone uses a song without the author’s consent, it not only violates copyright, but can also cause reputational and financial damage.
To avoid such situations or to act effectively if they have already occurred, it is important to know how to protect your rights and what to do in case of violation. This issue applies not only to famous artists, but also to any authors who want to protect their creative work from unauthorized use.
In such cases, it is crucial to understand the basics of copyright, how to register it, and the mechanisms of legal protection. This will allow not only to prevent potential violations, but also to respond quickly and effectively to them if necessary.
Details of the abduction
Ukrainian singer Zlata Ognevich said that russians translated her song “Beyond the Forests, the Mountains” without permission and are performing it at propaganda events with changed lyrics.
“I thought I could not be surprised by anything. What can you expect from a country that constantly appropriates and steals something good from others? I could not imagine that my song would become part of Russian propaganda,” the singer commented.
She also published a collection of videos of russians performing a translated and edited version of the song at festivals and concerts in support of united russia, the largest political party in the aggressor country.
The lyrics of “Beyond the forests, the mountains” were changed to “patriotic”: For example, the line “The bright star rolled down” became “our wide russian land”.
Unfortunately, this is not the first such case, even after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The aggressor has never respected the intellectual achievements and property of others.
In January 2024, the song “Hold” by Khrystyna Soloviy was remade for the ice show “Evenings on a Farm” in russia. The show also used the melody of Mykola Leontovych’s “Shchedryk” and the translated folk song “What a Moonlit Night,” performed by Ani Lorak and Oleksandr Panayiotov.
And in December 2022, russians stole a song by Ukrainian rapper Skofka, which he dedicated to his fallen comrade. In his song “Hear the Anthem,” he mentioned the brutal killings in Bucha and at Azovstal.
Even earlier, in the summer of 2022, a Russian woman covered a song by Okean Elzy called “Not Your War.” The same fate befell Skryabi’s song “Mam”.
How Ukrainians can protect their copyrights on social media from the aggressor country
It is important to track in which country and by whom your work can be used illegally. In countries where intellectual property rights are respected, you can send a notification letter to the organizers of events about copyright infringement.
The notification letter may contain the following information:
1) the name of the work and its author
2) the content of the illegal use;
3) the absence of authorization for use
4) legal provisions that have been violated.
Media coverage of copyright infringement is also effective. Publicity increases the likelihood of being heard. This will contribute to wider coverage of the illegal use of Ukrainian works by the russian side, which has long been a systematic phenomenon.
Therefore, if you have examples of illegal use of your work, be sure to report it on your social media.
Ukrainian authors have the right to protect their authorship of a work outside of Ukraine in court. To do so, they need to contact a lawyer in the country where the right is infringed and file a lawsuit in the relevant court. When considering a case in a foreign country, the norms of national legislation will apply.
But this step does not apply to violations of rights in russia. Since russia does not adhere to any international agreements and generally disregards international law, it is extremely difficult to bring to justice for copyright infringement in russia.
Copyright protection is an important step for every creator. In case of unlawful use of creative works, it is necessary to respond promptly and know the basic mechanisms of protection. Advance preparation and awareness of the legal aspects will help you protect your interests and maintain control over your own content.
copyright / intellectual property / rights protection / Zlata Ognjevich
