ARK MUSIC FACTORY
WORKS TO RESOLVE CLAIM ON “FRIDAY” VIDEO
 

Los Angeles, CA – June 17, 2011 – Ark Music Factory is working to resolve a complaint from teen singer Rebecca Black’s representatives regarding Ark Music Factory’s runaway hit music video FRIDAY. As a result the video has been temporarily taken off YouTube.

“We’re disappointed, having been in good faith negotiations with Rebecca Black and her representatives for months regarding any open issues,” an Ark Music representative said.  “There’s been an ongoing, open dialogue with our company.  So we were blindsided to get a Take Down Notice—with no notice--alleging copyright infringement instead of a call or email from Rebecca’s representatives.

“Our use of the video has fully been authorized (as evidenced by four uninterrupted months and 160 million-plus viewings without objection) by both Ms. Black and the copyright holder.  Regardless, we are going to continue to take the high road and work out the complaint as soon as possible so that the million-plus people who watch Friday for free each day can continue to enjoy the video.”

Ian David Hotchkiss and Christopher Ryan Lowe of Suite 7, the video producers, filed a copyright application for the video March 23, 2011, shortly after the video was released on YouTube. 

Ark Music Factory has just launched its TGI Fridays feature, which showcases cover versions of Friday by well-known artists ranging from the Glee cast to Katy Perry alongside other user-submitted homages, re-works and parodies of the video.  Ark invited users to submit ANY cover of the song — homage, re-work or parody — at www.arkmusicfactory.com to win a shot at being broadcast on the site. 

“We’ve been pleased to have been associated with Rebecca Black, and wish her continued success as she pursues her career,” Ark Music concluded.

About Ark Music Factory

Ark Music Factory is a trans-media property created for tweens, teens, and families to connect with new friends and network with aspiring talent.  Ark makes it possible for emerging artists from a variety of popular genres to be discovered, defined and delivered to a global audience.

Thirteen year-old sensation Rebecca Black—an artist discovered, defined, and delivered by Patrice Wilson, founder of ARK Music Factory--became an overnight pop sensation, gaining worldwide notoriety with the hit single "Friday."  The song, first launched by Ark Music Factory, was a stupendous hit, and has since spawned dozens—maybe hundreds-of fan covers, parodies as well as professional covers.