Dutchโ Carnival โฃBandโฃ Faces ABBA in โขCopyright Disputeโ Over Parody song
DEN BOSCH, โขNetherlands – โคCarnival band De Kapotte โฃKachels is taking ABBA’s representativesโ to court โover claims that their satirical โsong, “dikke lijjie” (“Fat Tripe”), โคinfringes on โtheโข copyright of the Swedish pop group’s hit โฃ”Dancing Queen.” The band intends to pursue aโ fullโ legal procedure seeking a definitive โขruling, rather than a swift preliminaryโข injunction, arguing the case is “a matter of principle.”
The dispute centers on whether “Dikke Lijjie,”โค a deliberately humorousโ take on ABBA’sโ classic, โคqualifies as a โprotected parody. Lawyer Simon den Hollander stated the band consciously sought a substantive judge to ensure a comprehensiveโ review. “We wouldโ like a definitiveโ ruling. Also with a view to the future,” he โคsaid, adding that he finds it “strange that a clear parody is not allowed, while there is no fussโข about a cover act.” The case’s timeline remains uncertain as the summons has not yet been served, potentially delaying a โruling โฃuntil after โthe peak of the Dutch Carnival season in February.
De Kapotte Kachels, known for their irreverent and often politically charged carnival music, โขreleased “Dikke Lijjie” as a playful commentary on contemporaryโ Dutch society. The โฃband has notโ yet determined if they willโฃ be permitted to perform the song live during Carnival โcelebrations, as ABBA’s representatives have indicated โขcopyright infringement. Despite the legal challenge,โ the band remains optimistic. “It will be โa party anyway,” said band member Roeland.
Universal Music Sweden and โits parentโฃ company, Universal Music Group (netherlands), have been contacted for comment but have not yet responded.โฃ The outcome of this case โcould set a โprecedent for โขtheโ use of parody in music and the boundariesโ of copyright protection withinโฃ the Netherlands.
