On YouTube, Michelle Phan is considered a superstar already, whose videos enjoy millions of views. Due to this, she has made an immense fortune. And even I and many friends of mine got one or another makeup tip from her.
However, EDM label Ultra Records is now pressing charges on her. Ultra Records is known for having various popular EDM artists such as Kaskade and Deadmau5 under contract.
Ultra Records is now filing suit against Michelle Phan for copyright infringement. The music label claims Michelle Phan has to pay up to $150.000 for every single song she used in her videos. She reportedly used 50 songs by the artist Kaskade in her videos, which could mean that she could be forced to pay $5.5 million at worst. The funny part? Kaskade himself spoke out against Ultra Records, supporting Phan in regard of the lawsuit.
This example case perfectly supports the opinion of many experts saying that copyright law is ill-suited for today’s media society in which musicians do not own their own music and where those who infringe copyrights have to face draconic, almost destructive charges. Nevertheless, we should not get one fact off our minds: Ultra Records supposedly warned Michelle Phan multiple times, telling her to stop employing the label’s music in her videos.
What do you guys think about it? Is Michelle Phan a victim of today’s flawed copyright law or do you think that this lawsuit was absolutely justified?
Copyright and Source: http://www.theverge.com/2014/7/21/5924405/youtube-star-michelle-phan-sued-copyright-infringement
