Korean Singer Yoon Mi-Rae Is Suing Sony For Using Song In ‘The Interview’
Korean singer Yoon Mi-Rae has alleged that Sony Pictures Entertainment’s use of her song “Pay Day” in the controversial Seth Rogen comedy The Interview was done without permission.
As a result, she will be taking legal action.
In a report from Soompi, the agency used by Yoon Mi-Rae, Feel Ghood Music, confirmed that there were “initial discussions” but an agreement was never reached.
“There were initial discussions for using ‘Pay Day’ in the movie, but at some point, the discussions ceased and we assumed that it would not follow through. However, after the movie was released, we learned that the track had been used without permission, legal procedure, or contracts.”
The agency also stated that it would be Sony Pictures “as well as DFSB, the agency that had been carrying out the discussion regarding the use of the track” that would be the target of legal action.
The Interview is a movie that’s had quite a few problems even before Yoon Mi-Rae decided to bring suit. The film reportedly took $44 million to produce and judging by its $1 million opening day, it has a long way to go before making its money back.
Furthermore, it has been named as one of the primary targets for Guardians of Peace (GoP), an alleged North Korean group of cyber criminals, who orchestrated the now famous Sony hack that will cost the studio anywhere from $100 million to $500 million depending on which reports you believe.
Now with a lawsuit adding insult to injury, it’s unlikely that The Interview will ever break even or turn a profit.
That didn’t stop Sony from touting the film’s “success.”
“The audience reaction was fantastic — the limited release, in under 10 percent of the amount of theaters originally planned, featured numerous sellouts and a first-day gross over $1 million,” Sony Pictures worldwide distribution president Rory Bruer said in a statement, adding that the film endured “incredibly challenging” circumstances to reach the gross that it did.
Consider Yoon Mi-Rae unimpressed.
It’s not clear when her reps will officially file suit, but this is some bitter icing on an already hard-to-stomach cake.
The one thing the film does have going for it? Its popularity among online streaming platforms Google Play and YouTube. Since dropping online Christmas Day, The Interview has stayed at the top of the most downloaded. Sony has not disclosed how much money they’ve picked up through video-on-demand (VOD), though at $5.99, that would net the film around $4.193 per download.
Do you think Yoon Mi-Rae should sue Sony over their use of “Pay Day?” Sound off in the comments section.
