Hollywood has violated not the author’s but instead ‘’substantial similarity’’ rights when using the traditional Bulgarian folklore song Izlel e Delyo Haydutin performed by Valya Balkanska.

The statement was made by Peter Delchev, a member of the Board of directors of Musicauthor – the company responsible for music licenses on Bulgarian songs.

The song was not properly acquired by the studio that produced the movie Tomorrowland, starring Hollywood star George Clooney.

In Delchev’s words, it is the practice around the world that folklore songs are not subject to licensing rights. In case the original sound of her voice has been used in the movie, then the so-called ‘’similarity rights’’ are violated – both of Valya Balkanska as a singer and of the song producers. In those terms, the singer would need to contact the movie production company to find a solution to the problem.

Meanwhile, composer Thomas J. Bergersen admitted in an interview for the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) Thursday that he has used only a small portion of the song.  

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