Overview
- Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté said he was informed last Friday that his Minions short program cannot be used at Milano Cortina due to a copyright clearance issue.
- He wrote that he followed ISU protocols, submitting the music through ClicknClear in August, and had competed to the program throughout the season.
- Sportico reported the ISU acknowledged the situation and said it has no contractual relationship with ClicknClear, while ClicknClear’s CEO described a multiyear agreement with the ISU.
- Similar denials have affected other athletes, including Canadian ice dancers Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac, who were told in December their Prince selections are not permitted at the Games.
- Skating officials and rights experts point to layered performance, broadcast and synchronization rights as ongoing hurdles that can force late program changes and risk legal claims or reduced TV exposure.