Jonny Greenwood Demands Removal of His Music from Melania Movie
Jonny Greenwood and Paul Thomas Anderson are taking action against Universal Pictures. They claim the studio has violated Greenwood’s composer agreement related to the score of the film “Phantom Thread.” This controversy centers around the documentary “Melania,” directed by Brett Ratner.
Accusation of Copyright Breach
The documentary features an extended portion of Greenwood’s composition “Barbara Rose,” originally created for “Phantom Thread.” According to Greenwood and Anderson, Universal did not seek permission for this use, which they argue breaches the agreement in place regarding the score.
Details of the Complaint
- Composers Involved: Jonny Greenwood and Paul Thomas Anderson
- Film Affected: Phantom Thread
- Documentary in Question: Melania, directed by Brett Ratner
- Music Used: “Barbara Rose”
In a statement, they expressed their concern about the unauthorized use of the music: “It has come to our attention that a piece of music from Phantom Thread has been used in the Melania documentary.” They highlighted that, despite not owning the copyright to the score, Greenwood expected Universal to consult him before licensing the music.
Next Steps
Both Greenwood and Anderson have requested the immediate removal of the track from the documentary. Pitchfork has reached out to Universal Pictures for a response regarding this matter.
This incident raises important questions about copyright rights and the use of music in film, especially concerning agreements between composers and studios.
