U.S. Olympic Figure Skaters Alexa Knierim & Brandon Frazier Are Being Sued for Copyright Infringement

Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, two figure skaters on the U.S. team, are being sued for copyright infringement and NBC is also named in the lawsuit.

The skaters performed to the song “House of the Rising Sun” during their short program at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Robert and Aron Marderosian, who are known as Heavy Young Heathens, composed the arrangement of the song and they filed the lawsuit for copyright infringement. They allege that the skaters used their son without permission and that the broadcast networks did not get permission to air the song or give them proper credit.

In addition to the skaters, the lawsuit names US Figure Skating, NBC Universal Media and its subsidiaries, Peacock and USA Network.

“The track features an originally composed introduction and unique arrangement that has allowed it to be a very sought after recording,” the lawsuit said (via Insider). “The track represents a very valuable licensing asset for Plaintiffs and is a signature song of theirs throughout the world.”

The musicians say the use of the song was a “brazen and improper effort to capitalize on Plaintiff’s hard work and copyright ownership.” They say the improper use caused them “substantial, immediate, and irreparable injury.”

The duo’s lawyer, who is also their father, told Insider, “Prior to filing the lawsuit, I reached out to the skater’s agent to see if we could resolve this, but my request was completely ignored. This use has greatly diminished the licensing future for this song, as it will now be forever linked to figure skating which limits its future use.”