has issued a public response to a legal ultimatum from her former label,
Hummingbird Music, regarding recently released remastered versions of her earlier work. The company issued a statement on June 18, asserting that it holds the rights to the original recordings and associated intellectual property, and demanded that Deng remove the re-recorded songs within 48 hours.
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The company stated that “GEM has infringed on the rights of reproduction and adaptation, as well as the information network rights.” It further requested that all major platforms immediately remove the disputed songs and warned that legal action would be taken if the content is not removed.
Hummingbird Music alleges copyright infringement over Deng Ziqi’s remastered worksDeng Ziqi, also known as GEM, recently revealed she had not received royalties from Hummingbird Music for a period of six years. Following a legal dispute that has since concluded, she announced plans to re-record her older songs. According to her, this would allow her to regain control of her creative works and monetize them legally.
Deng Ziqi cites legal grounds and unpaid royalties in response to former label’s claimsDeng Ziqi has responded to a 48-hour takedown demand from Hummingbird Music, her former label, over newly remastered songs. The company claims copyright infringement, but Deng asserts legal grounds for re-recording the tracks. She says she will not remove the songs and questions unpaid royalties from her former contractDeng Ziqi rejects Hummingbird Music's ultimatum to remove remastered songsResponding to Hummingbird Music’s statement, Deng said she would not comply with the takedown demand.
“After talking with my legal team, we all smiled helplessly. In fact, I don't know what else I need to respond to? Because the legal basis for my re-recording this time is already very sufficient,” she said.
“This re-recording is strictly based on the legal license of our country, and I also paid the remuneration according to the law.”
Deng also stated that the public broadcasting rights of her works have been managed by the CASH Association since she was 14 years old, before her contract with Hummingbird Music. She argued that the remastered versions are legally distributable worldwide.
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“So I will not remove the songs,” she added.
“On the contrary… can Hummingbird Music first settle all my legal royalties from October 2018 to 6 years and 8 months? And I haven't received the legal labor fees for about 6 months before the termination of my contract in 2019. Can you settle it for me first? Sorry, thank you.”
