In a notable copyright dispute involving international music, Ophir Cohen, the composer of the Israeli song Chatunat HaShana, has raised serious allegations against the Icelandic electronic duo Væb, claiming that their Eurovision entry RÓA is strikingly similar to his own composition. As a result of these allegations, the royalties for RÓA have been frozen in Iceland for four months, pending an investigation into Cohen's claims, which he asserts are a blatant case of copyright infringement.
Cohen, who released Chatunat HaShana in July 2017, noted that the song has garnered over 18 million views on YouTube, reflecting its popularity both in Israel and internationally. He believes that the melody of Væb’s Eurovision entry directly copies his work. The allegations involve significant stakes, as the Eurovision Song Contest is a high-profile platform that can propel artists to international fame.
Last month, Cohen contacted both the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Icelandic copyright organization to express his concerns. According to Cohen, “The Icelandic copyright society recognized that there’s a problem, and that’s a good start,” he stated in an interview with Haaretz. He further elaborated, saying, “Anyone with common sense who listens to both songs can hear that this is a blatant copyright violation, which has already become the subject of a parody on Eretz Nehederet.”
The formal request for disqualification of RÓA from Eurovision was submitted to the EBU on February 25, 2025. However, Cohen revealed that the EBU responded by telling them to resolve the matter directly with the Icelandic team. “Disqualifying the song is not currently on the table, and we’re not even sure we want to pursue that path,” Cohen said. “Mistakes happen. If I were to accidentally use someone else’s melody and realized my mistake, I wouldn’t fight it—I would apologize, give credit, reach an agreement, and not evade responsibility. That’s exactly what the Icelandic team is doing right now. I hope they reconsider.”
Efforts to reach a direct settlement between Cohen and Væb are ongoing. Cohen is represented by lawyers Ido Hitman and Maayan Roblin Malka, who sent a letter to Væb’s attorneys last week. In this correspondence, they emphasized the significance of Chatunat HaShana as a well-known song that stands to face serious risks due to this dispute. They wrote, “Every additional day that the song remains part of the competition exacerbates the damage. Unauthorized use without appropriate compensation must be prevented, and our client intends to take all necessary legal action to stop this serious infringement.”
In response, the attorneys representing Væb acknowledged receipt of Cohen's lawyers' letter and stated that they were reviewing the claims and would reply soon. However, as of now, no official statement has been released from either the EBU or Væb regarding the situation.
This ongoing dispute underscores the complexities of copyright in the realm of music, particularly when it involves multiple jurisdictions and international competitions like Eurovision. As the deadline for resolution looms, all eyes remain on Cohen and Væb. Will a mutually agreeable settlement be reached, or will this dispute escalate further in the public eye?
For those interested, listening to both songs may offer insight into the similarities. Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for ongoing updates on this developing story.
