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Olympic Figure Skaters Are on Thin Ice Over Music Copyright Rules

2 articles
2 sources
0% diversity
Updated 12.2.2026
Key Topics & People
Amber Glenn *Milan Olympics AC/DC Winter Olympics

Coverage Framing

1
1
Legal & Judicial(1)
Human Interest(1)
Avg Factuality:80%
Avg Sensationalism:Low

Story Timeline

Feb 12 Morning

1 articles|1 sources
figure skatingmusic copyrightwinter olympicsintellectual propertymusic licensing
Legal & Judicial(1)
New York Times - WorldFeb 12

Olympic Figure Skaters Are on Thin Ice Over Music Copyright Rules

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, figure skaters are facing increased scrutiny regarding music copyright laws. Several athletes, including Canadian ice dancers Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha, have had to alter their routines due to potential copyright infringements. Lajoie and Lagha were forced to change their music selection weeks before the competition after learning their AC/DC mix was uncleared. American skater Amber Glenn also faced a dispute after a musician claimed she used his song without permission. Increased attention from international broadcasts, social media, and new music tracking tools are contributing to the heightened awareness and enforcement of music copyright regulations in figure skating.

MeasuredFactual7 sources
Neutral

Key Claims

factual

Lagha and Lajoie learned that they were at risk of breaching copyright law because of their use of a musical composition featuring hits by AC/DC.

quote

A Canadian musician, Seb McKinnon, posted on social media that Glenn had used his song “The Return” in her routine “without permission.”

— Seb McKinnon

quote

The issue of music rights can be complex and confusing, seems like there was a hiccup in that whole process.

— Amber Glenn

factual

Danny O’Shea and Ellie Kam obtained licensing rights for their competition.

factual

Several athletes have found themselves caught up in copyright controversies before and during one of the biggest competitions of their careers.

Feb 10 Evening

1 articles|1 sources
amber glennfigure skatingolympicscopyrightcanadian artist
Human Interest(1)

Key Claims

factual

Amber Glenn resolved copyright concerns with Seb McKinnon regarding her free skate music.

— U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn

quote

Seb McKinnon expressed surprise that his song was used without permission.

— Canadian artist Seb McKinnon

factual

Glenn performed her free skate to conclude the team event.

— null

factual

McKinnon posted to X about the unauthorized use of his song.

— null

factual

Glenn and McKinnon may have struck up a new friendship.

— U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn