Corinthians takes legal action to use anthem without paying; understand

O Corinthians filed a lawsuit at the São Paulo Court of Justice (TJSP) against the publishers Musical Corisco and Musiclave for the right to use their own anthem without having to pay for it. In response, the companies claim that the club has no proof that it can use the song without restrictions. The process began in January this year after a lack of agreement between the parties. The action is still in its initial phase.

According to Corinthians’ lawyers, the issue was taken to court after the club was charged for using the anthem in a specific situation, not detailed, that occurred years ago. Composed in 1953, the song “Campeão dos Champions” is written by musician Benedito Lauro D’Ávila, with whom the São Paulo club claims it had a “verbal agreement” to use the anthem. The publishers, with whom the author signed a contract in the 1970s, dispute the thesis and consider the action by Corinthians to be illegitimate.

+ Receive news from UmDois Esportes on WhatsApp

In their arguments, Corinthians’ lawyers cite a precedent case, when, in 2007, the Rio de Janeiro Court ruled against Fluminense after the Rio de Janeiro club was challenged by Editora Fermata do Brasil for using the anthem without authorization in a five-year advertising campaign. years before. The court understood that the song was associated with the cultural heritage of the Laranjeiras association.

“This Fluminense process benefited all the other clubs in Rio. It’s a situation exactly the same as that of Corinthians. We want Corinthians not to be charged for using the anthem. Those who will continue managing this anthem are the author’s successors through the publisher” , says José Araújo de Novaes Neto, the club’s lawyer. “For decades, Corinthians has always used the anthem and has never been charged for it because there is an understanding that the club can use it. If Caetano Veloso wants to record the anthem, for example, he will have to ask the publisher for permission. But Corinthians wants to use the anthem and not pay for it”, he added.

To Uol, the publishers claim that Lauro D’Ávila, who died in 1985, did not leave any document allowing Corinthians to use “Campeão dos Champions” without the need for payment. The Estadão report tried to contact the defense of Musical Corisco and Musiclave, but there was no response. In case of manifestation, the article will be updated.

It is worth noting that the process does not make reference to the use of the anthem in team matches, for example. In this case, the public performance of the song requires payment to the Central Collection and Distribution Office (Ecad), which transfers it to the copyright owners.