The continuing behind-the-scenes drama of Rebecca Black’s “Friday” continues to be more interesting than the song itself ever was, as NBC New York reports that the teen songbird is suing the music factory her mother paid to make her a star in the first place:
Black and her mother are alleging that Ark Music Factory has been exploiting Black’s likeness on YouTube, iTunes, Amazon, and their own web site, have created and sold an “unauthorized” ‘Friday” ringtone, and have not supplied Black with the master recordings of his song and video.
We can’t speak to the legality of the situation, but in an interview with Rolling Stone, the people behind Ark did little to clear up the matter: Founder Patrice Wilson told the mag that the company was complying with Black’s wishes, but his partner Clarence Jay contends that the company should have full publishing rights to the song, not the 90% agreed to in their original agreement. Furthermore, Ark’s lawyer Barry Rothman disputes the legality of Ark’s deal with Black in the first place, which he says was not court-approved. It all just goes to you: Memes are all fun and games until hundreds of thousands of dollars are on the line.
And if all that has made you sad, here’s something to cheer you up. It’s been going around for a few days, but if you haven’t seen it, it’s new to you: Rebecca Black vs. The Beatles.
