US figure skater Amber Glenn has successfully addressed a music copyright issue that arose during the Winter Olympics. The concern involved a piece of music used in her free skate program, with the artist behind the music initially raising questions about its usage. The resolution comes after Glenn earned an Olympic team gold medal.
Background of the Music Concern
Figure skaters participating in competitions, including the Olympics, are required to secure permission for the music they use in their routines. This process, however, can be complex, involving various steps and sometimes the use of third-party services that aim to simplify music licensing. Skaters often combine different musical segments for their performances, adding to the intricacy of obtaining necessary approvals.
Core Issue: The need for skaters to obtain copyright permission for their chosen music.Complication: The process of obtaining these permissions is not straightforward.
Timeline of Events and Key Individuals
Amber Glenn, a three-time US champion, found herself in the spotlight due to this music issue, occurring concurrently with other public attention she received for comments on politics and the LGBTQ+ community.
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Initial Concern: The artist of one of Glenn's free skate music pieces, Seb McKinnon, posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), questioning the use of his music at the Olympics.
Public Attention: McKinnon's post drew attention, and Glenn became an unintentional focus during the Games.
Resolution: Glenn announced that the copyright concerns have been resolved, and she believes a positive relationship has formed with McKinnon as a result.
Timing: The resolution of the copyright issue was confirmed around the time Glenn secured an Olympic team gold medal, though details on specific timing relative to her medal win are varied across reports.
The Role of Music Permissions in Figure Skating
Obtaining rights for music in figure skating routines is a standard, yet intricate, procedure.
Mandatory Requirement: Skaters must obtain permission for their music.
Complexity: The process is described as "hardly straightforward" and "far from straightforward."
Music Editing: Skaters frequently "piece together different cuts of music," which can complicate copyright clearance.
Third-Party Involvement: Companies like ClicknClear exist to help "streamline permissions," indicating a structured but often convoluted landscape.
Unclear Official Involvement: Reports suggest it is "unclear whether the organization played a role in getting Glenn's music approved." This lack of clarity leaves open questions about the exact channels through which permissions were managed or expedited.
Artist's Initial Reaction and Retraction
Seb McKinnon, the Canadian artist whose music was used, initially expressed his concerns publicly.
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Public Statement: McKinnon "openly attacked" Glenn on social media regarding the use of his song.
Retraction: Following the public reaction to his statement, McKinnon "retracted his hostile take," apparently after facing criticism himself. He later congratulated Glenn on her Olympic medal.
Glenn's Olympic Performance and Public Discourse
Glenn's participation in the Winter Olympics coincided with broader public discussions and scrutiny.
Team Gold Medal: Glenn was a member of the US figure skating team that won a gold medal in the team event at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Social Media Hiatus: Around the same period as the music issue, Glenn also stepped away from social media due to backlash concerning her comments on politics and the LGBTQ+ community. This created a dual focus of public attention on the athlete.
Impact: Glenn became an "unintentional lightning rod" during the Olympics due to these combined issues.
Expert Analysis and Perspectives
The situation highlights the often-unseen logistical and legal hurdles within professional sports.
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"Figure skaters are required to obtain copyright permission for the music they use." - Associated Press
"The entire copyright landscape [is] complex and nuanced." - Indy100 (via unnamed source/reporting)
The fact that a resolution was reached, and even potentially led to a new connection between the artist and skater, suggests that clear communication and established procedures, even if complex, can overcome initial disputes. However, the initial public outcry and the artist's direct "attack" point to a breakdown in communication or understanding of the process at the outset.
Conclusion and Implications
The resolution of Amber Glenn's music copyright concern marks a significant personal and professional development during her Olympic campaign. The issue underscored the mandatory and often challenging nature of music licensing in elite figure skating.
Resolution Achieved: The immediate dispute has been settled, allowing Glenn to focus on her athletic pursuits.
Process Scrutiny: The incident has brought to light the complexities and potential points of friction within the music permission process for athletes.
Artist Engagement: The initial public challenge by the artist, followed by a retraction and subsequent positive interaction, illustrates the dynamic nature of artist-athlete relations in the digital age.
Broader Context: The music issue occurred alongside other public commentary that placed Glenn under considerable scrutiny, making the resolution of this particular concern a positive outcome amidst a period of intense public attention.
Sources
Associated Press (AP News): Published two articles detailing the resolution of the copyright issue and the surrounding circumstances, including Glenn's comments on other matters.
US figure skater Amber Glenn resolves copyright issue with a Canadian music artist at the Olympics
US skater Amber Glenn faces fallout over politics and issues with music copyright after Olympic gold
ABC News: Reported on the backlash Glenn faced, linking it to both her political/social comments and the music copyright matter.
US figure skater Amber Glenn faces backlash over politics and copyright issues
Newsweek: Covered the artist's initial public "attack" on Glenn and the subsequent retraction.
USA's Amber Glenn attacked by artist over song used in Olympics
The Guardian: Provided live updates from the Winter Olympics, though its coverage of this specific incident was brief and focused on overall event reporting.
Winter Olympics 2026 day four: more golds for Italy, Norway and Sweden; GB go for first medal – live
Indy100: Discussed the defense of the Olympic gold medalist over the music copyright dispute, highlighting the complexity of the licensing process.
Winter Olympic gold medallist defended over music copyright dispute
The Independent: Briefly noted the resolution of the copyright dispute.
US skater says Winter Olympics copyright dispute with Canadian musician is resolved
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