Brief: In 2024, Studio Zentral requested use of Lo-Fang’s song ‘You’re the Friend I Need’ for their production. Following initial payment, four months elapsed before Lo-Fang was presented with an actual contract containing significantly different terms than initially discussed. These expanded terms were explicitly rejected in documented correspondence. Despite this rejection, the song appeared in Episode 7 on ARD 1 and in possible submissions to Tribeca Film Festival and BFI. After formal communications between parties, the episode was removed from ARD Mediathek. This case file documents the correspondence, usage, and responses
A symbolic offer—limited, heartfelt. Accepted on narrow terms. also includes key emails from Jakob Huffel and Lo-Fang regarding admission of expanded terms and cue sheet registration.
Expanded Contract Terms (March 2025)
A sweeping rights grab presented as “the only version.” Rejected by Lo-Fang outright on oct 7th 2024.
Sync Licensing Valuation Memo (March 26, 2025) Prepared by Lo-Fang to establish baseline value of prior syncs. Chanel ad (€250K), HBO’s The Leftovers, and Amazon campaigns cited. Memo justifies valuation of €276,000 for unauthorized global use.
ASCAP & GEMA Escalation (Late March 2025) Lo-Fang formally escalates to ASCAP and GEMA, citing unauthorized usage, misregistration, absence of cue sheet filing, and lack of royalty accounting. ASCAP confirms no cue sheet on file, no foreign income received for the title, and continues to classify the matter as a copyright/unauthorized use dispute. GEMA oversight is formally requested due to potential conflict of interest.
Legal tone shift, threat language, and accusations of defamation.
Closing Note :
Date
Event Description
May 8, 2024
€600 offer received from Studio Zentral for limited sync usage.
June 2024
Expanded contract terms rejected in writing by Lo-Fang.
October 2024
Episode 7 airs on ARD regarding usage following rejection of terms of “You’re the Friend I Need.”
March 19, 2025
Expanded contract sent after prior rejection; Jakob admits expansion of rights and GEMA registration.
April 2, 2025
Episode 7 quietly removed from ARD Mediathek following legal action. No Formal notice was given to Lo-Fang. No Apology was ever offered.
April 3, 2025
Cease & Desist letter issued by Dr. Ralph Graef; Studio Zentral, Network, and ARD Degeto binds itself to €5,100 future-use penalty.
April 4–7, 2025
Dr. Graef accuses Lo-Fang of libel and slander; correspondence escalates.
April 10, 2025
ASCAP confirms no cue sheet filed and no royalties accounted for. Unauthorized usage classification upheld. ASCAP opens new inquiry with GEMA regarding Episode 7 of Schwarze Früchte (Work ID: 929393998); GEMA has not yet responded to ASCAP’s urgent inquiry.
April, 11th 2025
GEMA issues formal response denying responsibility. GEMA confirms that “You’re the Friend I Need” was used in Schwarze Früchte, asserting that broadcasters operate under a blanket license that includes synchronization rights via reciprocal agreements with foreign societies (e.g., ASCAP). GEMA claims the sync rights were “already clarified” through its agreement with ASCAP—despite ASCAP’s formal position that: The work was only registered March 25, 2025 (months after use), No cue sheet was submitted, No foreign income has been registered, and The matter is classified as an unauthorized use dispute. This contradiction between GEMA and ASCAP indicates a breakdown in rights management and weakens the opposing legal narrative.
April 15th -18th
Formal legal replies prepared by Horak Media Law to GEMA, Studio Zentral, Network Movie, and ARD Degeto, asserting copyright and synchronization violations. Launch of StudioZentral.org as a documented case file and public archive detailing the unauthorized use of “You’re the Friend I Need” by Lo-Fang. This marks the coordinated legal and creative escalation in Case Z001.
“Case #z001 exists to maintain a clear record. Future changes will continue to be documented and published until systemic change is achieved.” -Lo-Fang
