![[theqoo] NEWJEANS SUED FOR ‘ETA’… ORIGINAL MELODY USED WITHOUT PERMISSION](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWReNm1NzLpURHDMzu_bMxCsCANLc6HmF1rbz5phe_1bQVKqyqXv7QpI9yVvEG_-ZJDDBp8aNAUP7EnVYrenRp39Vbj1oM4QGQI7pem1kaLHp0ovaRfFIoUyNM17tNFPBQR8doxB912wi7im3ZD05LDS6RK1st0yjT1ec8WjUw5pgeqjC8g1zwSzeGw-45=w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu "[theqoo] NEWJEANS SUED FOR ‘ETA’… ORIGINAL MELODY USED WITHOUT PERMISSION")
[theqoo] NEWJEANS SUED FOR ‘ETA’… ORIGINAL MELODY USED WITHOUT PERMISSION
On the 7th, the U.S. copyright management company “All Surface Publishing” filed a copyright infringement lawsuit regarding NewJeans’ song “ETA” with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Dispatch obtained the complaint filed by All Surface. The lawsuit alleges copyright infringement against NewJeans, producer 250, lyricist Beenzino (Lim Sung-bin), HYBE, ADOR, BANA (Beasts And Natives), and Apple, which handled the advertising campaign.
NewJeans released their EP Get Up in July 2023. This album propelled the group to the top of the Billboard 200 chart just one year after their debut. The track “ETA,” included in the album, charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
“All Surface Publishing” has claimed that NewJeans’ song “ETA” misappropriated “Samir’s Theme,” a track for which the company holds the rights.
“Samir’s Theme” was released in 2005 by Baltimore club music producer DJ Debonair Samir.
The claim alleges that elements of “Samir’s Theme”, specifically its syncopated horn melody, 16th-note rhythmic structure, and bass drum pattern, were used in “ETA” without authorization.
The plaintiff stated, “The two songs are similar in both quantity and quality regarding their original melodies and rhythmic elements,” adding, “‘Samir’s Theme’ has long been widely distributed internationally, meaning the defendants had access to the track; given the striking similarity, it is difficult to view ‘ETA’ as an independent creation.”
The plaintiff sought a permanent injunction against the infringing activities, the disgorgement of profits gained by the defendants, and damages, including statutory damages of up to $150,000 (approximately 227 million KRW) per work in cases of willful infringement.
Representatives for NewJeans told Dispatch that “the track in question was sourced through BANA, a company selected by then-CEO Min Heejin,” adding that they are “currently reviewing internal records to determine whether CEO Min properly conducted checks for musical similarity at the time.”
Meanwhile, NewJeans is also currently embroiled in a plagiarism dispute regarding the song “How Sweet.” Both “ETA” and “How Sweet” were produced under the general direction of former ADOR CEO Min Heejin. Notably, she previously received the Producer Award at the Golden Disc Awards for the album Get Up.
1. No matter how much people try to tarnish NewJeans’ reputation,
who is the undisputed number one of the 4th generation in terms of embarrassing themselves? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
2. Just look at the number of plagiarism lawsuits. It’s a total sh*tshow. And on top of that, Min Heejin was paying BANA 30 million won a month?
3. The reactions here are so funnyㅋㅋ people who stan HYBE idols here should really just move along
4. How many plagiarism issues have NewJeans gotten themselves into ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Instead of dragging other people’s hair, go reflect
5. I need to listen to Samir’s Theme
6. This is honestly daebak
7. The double standard here is daebak ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
8. I miss NewJeans
9. So they’re really trying to just k*ll off NewJeans
10. Seriously they never tried to protect NewJeans once ever since they came back
