In March, SM Entertainment got involved with the famous K-pop producer Marz (MZMC) in a high-profile battle over copyrighted works.
MZMC generated various pop hits for the entertainment business for years, such as "Tempo" by EXO, "Fine" and "Starlight" by Taeyeon, and "We Go Up" by NCT, "Candlelight," "Cherry Bomb" and more.
Although the problem about his tiff over EXO's songs cooled down, it feels like the tension has just started again. Recently, the producer went on Instagram Live to explain the distinction between master rights and sync rights over the music.
Although SM Entertainment maintains the master rights to almost all of the tracks they buy off producers, sync rights are a separate territory itself. As per Marz, master rights authorize the firm to perform the song at live performances and outdoor live places.
However, the privileges to distribute the track with the visual image are not included. That comes under the umbrella of sync protection. (Via Koreaboo)
SM Entertainment can't publish his music as part of the live concert DVDs, videos on a special track, or even VODs or internet-based music events. You can see his detailed rundown in English in the clip below.
The recent disagreements between SM Entertainment and MZMC have once again been exposed to the public as NCT prepares to unleash their VODs for their upcoming Beyond Live online concert.
Fans believe that due to this copyright battle, some of their personal favorites will be permanently removed from the Beyond Live VODs, much like other tracks on previous EXO VOD merchandise.
Because concert DVDs and VODs are perceived to be valuable items for fans who have either failed to make it to live concerts or who want to relive the experience, the withdrawal of these songs can cause problems to the fans.
This wasn't the first instance that SM Entertainment was engaged in disputes with its producers. As SM Entertainment and MZMC try to manage their conflicts or solve the issue, fans are expected to wait for the next official statement update regarding their cherished albums and performances.