Studiozentral.org

Case File Z001

Case File Z001:
Studio Zentral’s Unauthorized Use of Lo-Fang’s Composition:

“You’re the Friend I Need”

and Subsequent Cease & Desist

Brief: In 2024, Studio Zentral requested use of Lo-Fang’s song ‘You’re the Friend I Need’ for their production. Following an upfront 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, unauthorized usage, willfull infringement and and, resulting legal acknowledgments.

PDF Archive: Official Documents & Evidence:

This section provides access to all primary source materials referenced in Case File Z001. Each document is available for reference, download, or legal review. All entries are date-verified and ordered to reflect the timeline of infringement, escalation, and formal response.

  • Cease & Desist Letter from Dr. G_____ (April 2025)
  • Studio Zentral’s legal team finally responds—confirming removal, demanding repayment, and threatening legal action.
  • ARD Degeto Quietly Removes Episode 7
  • No formal statement. But visual proof shows it vanished. Episodes 6 and 8 remain.
  • Correspondence with ARD (PDF)
  • Combined file including Lo-Fang’s formal letter and ARD’s written acknowledgment—evidence of institutional awareness.
  • Initial €600 Licensing Proposal via Email (May 2024)
  • A “upfront payment” accepted on narrow terms. also includes key emails from JH at Studio Zentral and Lo-Fang regarding admission of expanded terms and cue sheet registration.
  • Expanded Contract – September 30, 2024
  • A sweeping rights contract introduced four months later, including perpetual and all-media terms. Rejected in writing by Lo-Fang on October 7, 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.
  • Invoice #1002 –Sent March 21, 2025
  • Formal invoice issued for unauthorized global use of “You’re the Friend I Need.” Payment remains outstanding.
  • Zentral Email Chain 1 (Redacted)
  • Early licensing discussions, rejections, and confirmations.
  • Zentral Email Chain 2 (Redacted)
  • Studio Zentral’s correspondence following written rejection of terms
  • Lo-Fang-vs.-Studio-Zentral-G___-Rechtsanwalte-Correspondence-Redacted-March-April-2025
  • Legal tone shift, threat language, and accusations of defamation.
DateEvent Description
May 8, 2024€600 offer received from Studio Zentral for limited sync usage.
Oct 7th 2024Expanded contract terms rejected in writing by Lo-Fang.
October 2024Episode 7 airs on ARD regarding usage following rejection of terms of “You’re the Friend I Need.”
March 19, 2025Expanded contract sent after prior rejection; Jakob admits expansion of rights and GEMA registration.
April 2, 2025Episode 7 quietly removed from ARD Mediathek following legal action. No Formal notice was given to Lo-Fang. No Apology was ever offered.
April 3, 2025Cease & Desist letter issued by Dr. Ralph Graef; Studio Zentral, Network, and ARD Degeto binds itself to €5,100 future-use penalty.
April 4–7, 2025Dr. Graef accuses Lo-Fang of libel and slander; correspondence escalates.
April 10, 2025ASCAP 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 2025GEMA 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 -18thFormal 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