The new MuchMusic documentary 299 Queen Street West has made a bit of splash, with a cross-Canada tour featuring live appearances from VJs and an 8/10 review here at Exclaim! What happens next for the film is unclear, however, as 299 QSW is reportedly facing a legal threat from Universal Music Canada.
Director Sean Menard told Billboard Canada that he has been contacted by Universal with threats of a possible cease and desist against 299 Queen Street West. The doc apparently features about 80 artists, many of whom are (or were) signed to Universal.
The doc was created with the cooperation of Bell Media, which owns Much as well as most of its tape archive. Menard says that his use of this footage constitutes fair use, while Universal contests this.
"No legal action has been pursued at this time," a spokesperson for Universal told Billboard. "At present, we are in active and good faith negotiations with the film's legal and production team on the licensing of Universal's recorded music."
The documentary premiered earlier this year at SXSW, and made its Toronto debut with a premiere on September 22. A cross-Canada tour is currently ongoing, although future screenings could be put in jeopardy if the legal threat escalates.
Director Sean Menard told Billboard Canada that he has been contacted by Universal with threats of a possible cease and desist against 299 Queen Street West. The doc apparently features about 80 artists, many of whom are (or were) signed to Universal.
The doc was created with the cooperation of Bell Media, which owns Much as well as most of its tape archive. Menard says that his use of this footage constitutes fair use, while Universal contests this.
"No legal action has been pursued at this time," a spokesperson for Universal told Billboard. "At present, we are in active and good faith negotiations with the film's legal and production team on the licensing of Universal's recorded music."
The documentary premiered earlier this year at SXSW, and made its Toronto debut with a premiere on September 22. A cross-Canada tour is currently ongoing, although future screenings could be put in jeopardy if the legal threat escalates.
