Måns Zelmerlöw sailed through the final of Melodifestivalen, but now he faces an annoying new hurdle. This morning he and his team from SVT had to pull the video of “Heroes” from the official Eurovision YouTube channel following a copyright warning over their use of the stick figure on their digital projection wall. The video had already clocked up more than 600,000 views.
Speaking to SVT, “Heroes” director Fredrik “Benke” Rydan admitted that he was inspired by someone else’s work, but denied plagiarism.
Sure, I have absolutely been inspired by the figure that we have been approached about and although I reject that it would be plagiarism, we can never predict the outcome of such a review. Moreover, we do not have time for that. Since the appearance of the figure is not critical for me it’s an easy choice to correct it.
For now they have replaced the video with the “Heroes” lyric video.
Christer Björkman, the head of SVT’s Eurovision delegation, remains positive — and believes that there is an opportunity in the crisis.
Until further notice we put up another video on the Eurovision site. It’s boring and generates extra work. But now that it has happened, I see still opportunities in this – now we can sharpen the number to the race in May.
Måns is staying mellow. “The figure has new clothes,” he tells SVT. “It’s spring now and he cannot have the same outfit as in February.”
Update: The SVT report does not name the specific person who has filed the copyright claim. But several people, including commenter mawnck (below), have previously pointed out similarities between Måns’ stick figure and the stick figure in “The Alchemy of Light” video, which was illustrated by multimedia performance artist A DandyPunk.
What do you think of the change? Can Måns still slay with a new figure?
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The reason was not because of officell plagiarism, but it was just that someone claimed it was plagiarism. It was not EBU who took down the video as many seem to believe, but it was SVT. In the Melodifestivalen so decides artists themselves how the stage show should look like but SVT then determines how the stage show should look for the contribution which won the Melodifestivalen and competing for Sweden in the Eurovision. After complaints to the SVT(Swedish television) about Måns stage show after Melodifestivalen, SVT(Swedish television) decided that it was smarter to change Måns stage show to eurovision… Read more »
Måns song has not violated any regarding the stage show since it only sends the song in March(music and lyric)
I wrote errors in the text below. I meant that lawyers have said that there is no problem with Måns stage show
Lawyers have said that there is a problem with scenhowen really but they change anyway. Apparently complaining many on Sweden and Swedish Television but SVT is not involved in the artists stage show in Melodifestivalen(swedish selection for eurovsion) if there would be someone who has done wrong is it’s Mans Zelmerlöw and his record label did not SVT
3. Måns is not homophobic.
HOMOPHOBIA +PLAGIARISM+HYPOCRISY=MANS ZELMERLOW!!!
well, there’s nothing more to his performance then… i’m happy about this hahahaha
watch the this video which compares Lovers of the Sun vs Heroes and tell me you can not see the copy cat parts!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnTvAaHtQRU
@SAD Get over yourself!!! Stop playing the “Poor Sweden card, we get bullied” Sweden would not do so well every year if Europe did not vote for it so how can Europe hate you!?! Loreen is one of the most love winners ever! Plus you came 3rd last year! It is not about Sweden as a country it is about the song. It is simply plagiarised, I don’t care that people say it isnt because it quite clearly is – and even then it is still a hot favourite to win so stop moaning! And why did you bring the… Read more »
Seriously! Last year, Sweden was criticized for for how old our singer looked, the show was plagiarism of Satellite with Lena, and it was plagiarism of Miley Cyrus Wrecking ball (there was no similarity at all) And then Loreen, before she won she was told how weird she was, unfeminine, kung fu panda and that she was disgusing that had a black man dancing with her. There are two alternativ: There are extremely high expectations of Sweden every year and you people decide to look for flaws just because it is Sweden. Britain sends blend songs, bad songs every year,… Read more »
Hero är inte ett plagiat. Den tillhör en genre. precis som rap, jazz och contry. Måns har den bästa låten, och den bästa rösten. Annars är det ett uselt låtår iår.
Plagiarised Song + Plagiarised Production = 2015 ESC Winners!
Europe actually try and vote for a good song please.
1. Måns är INTE homofob
2. Hero är INTE ett plagiat
3. Låten är INTE platt
4 Albanien, Georgien och Slovenien är skräp
5 Däremot är alla duettbalader plagiat också isåfall
This is not entry for more than 150 points in televoting. If he wins, it will be not a choice of the viewers, but it will be only manipulation from the jury.
Heroes first was a plagiarism of a song of David Guetta, now the projection is stolen… whats next? Did the mother of Mans stole a name of another person called that name? I really don’t like the entry of Sweden this year, while there were better songs in my opinion (Don’t stop believing, I’ll be fine, Insomnia, Don’t stop, Sting, Hello hi, Forever starts today, Black swan, One by one, Groupie, Make me lalala and a few more to be specific!), but there’s no need to be so silly and dull… Its a songcontest once again… its about music, they… Read more »
I’m late for the party on this one, but I take it that, if he is forced to change the stage setting entirely, Måns’ performance could become a case of ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ or ‘The Emperor Has No Clothes’. Yes? No? 😐
blondboybc is spot on, he’s doomed to position 8-12. Though I think he would a good opener to the final, if he qualifies.
I want Sweden to win, to see that beautiful country in 2016. It’ll be my first time I’ll attend the show! Can’t wait to see y’all!!! 🙂 🙂
Sweden is first only for idiodds
The best thing about being swedish? You get to see all hating envious comments from failed state eu nations, im surprised u got internet ;D Sweden #3 world music exporter. top3 heros
the hat, the shape of the character and the umbrella are identical, idiots! But they’ll redesign the character and he’ll still do amazingly because the vast majority of those who will be voting on the night won’t know anything about this controversy. Sadly, because I’d rather he didn’t win…
WOOW love him very great song and voice good luck from Land of fire Azerbaijan
I wouldn’t be suprised to see Sweden going home after the semis. Pla… Inspired or not…
it does seem odd that the song has been accused to being “inspired” by the David Guetta song. now the whole staging was “inspired” by a character in a projection mapping video. how foolish of these people to not change the stick figure so it didn’t resemble the “inspiration”. they opened themselves to ridicule, accusations and disappointment from fans who thought it was a truly unique performance. I’m sure Sweden, Christer and Mans would not appreciate if another country this year had their performer in black stage, hauntingly lit with snow falling down and then a dancer join the singer… Read more »
“Am I right in saying Mans’ MF performance can never be shown again because of the copyright claim?” Remains to be seen. These things usually end up in a settlement agreement. I suspect that for the short term, Team Måns decided it was too much of a distraction to fool with, since all they have to do to fix it is to modify the animation. My thoughts on all this: Sweden is still the frontrunner, but maybe not as certain as before. It’s sort of like they were in the lead by 10 laps and just blew a tire. They… Read more »
Mans doesnt even need those stick figures. He can just stare into the camera with those gorgeous brown eyes and millions of girls will swoon. Hopefully he keeps the leather pants though…..
It is clear that the they have been more than inspired by another work, it is a clear plagiarism of this video you have shown. So dissapointing! Sweden was one of my favourites.
No I will bet for Estonia or Spain!
Am I right in saying Mans’ MF performance can never be shown again because of the copyright claim? That’s a bit of a cock up to say the least….it was the gimmickry and special effects that was the selling point of the video, and now they’ve had to substitute it with a mere lyrics video.
Both the song and the singer are way appalling.
@ef0912
I agree completely and Azerbaijan’s song this year, “Hour of the Wolf”, is my favourite.
they would just only redraw the figure
The whole song relies on the staging and without it the song’s very average. I’m worried if the updated staging will be as good.
Whatever he do with his performance, his song is still bad.
I don’t think at all that this song is going to win no matter how they promote the video even creating copyright issue won’t buy them vote, I vote based on my taste taking into consideration the performance vocals etc. Heroes is not a special song but one of the fleshy entry of eurovision song contest that just cheers the audience
Not my winner. unoriginal. My Winner is Italy, Slovenia and Spain 🙂
It is too artificial and weak to be winner.
“Heroes” as a song is already great without any extra parafernalia, but I’m glad they’re not completely scrapping the little guys, merely reworking them. Like Christer said, this is a good opportunity for Mans to surprise us in May like he did in February.
I don’t actually like Sweden this year. I’m tired of these kind of songs. Bad luck Sweden!
Check out TOP 40 which is based on 100 personal charts and see where’s Sweden placed!
And you CAN VOTE for YOUR TOP 10 in comments!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uZNomvbqJ5M&client=mv-google&hl=en&gl=LV
I love how Mans responded to the situation! All in all, not a big deal. The stick figure was just one part of the projection show. It’s not that hard to create a new character.
LAst years high scorers had timid shows: No acrobats, simple background. everything focussed on the song. 80% had flashing lights which some people can’t watch. So maybe here’s the message: focus on the song!
This cannot help Sweden or Mans, nor the persistent rumours of homophobia. Methinks the combo will weaken them relative to other strong entrants this year. Time will tell….like Armenia last year?
So this means he only will change the little man in the proyection or he has to change his whole performance with the proyection?
A lesson to learn for Sweden… With this nice song and hot-skilled singer, they could have created something really unique…
But instead they got “inspiration” for both the song and the projections, and they have been criticized a LOT, I guess media in the rest of the participating countries, they will talk about it (after all I guess media in other countries don’t want another Swedish victory) , and the public won’t vote for something they already know it has been “inspired” by someone else.
Now I see Sweden NOT winning the competition, what an interesting year…
I assume that some drama-queen made the request. Pathetic. ESC was once a jolly thing, now it’s all hatred & awkward + silly gay parade.
@Marco
Azerbaijan’s entries are great. Granted they are somewhat overrated (I still can’t get over the fact that Ell and Nikki beat Maja Keuc), their songs are still great. Same goes with Sweden…
@Marco: In relation to what you’ve said, I always think that Azerbaijan (except for 2014) send their entries so late in order to see the potential weaknesses of the other countries’ entries and possible trendy musical style and theme to fit in a given year’s contest. Same case with Russia last year. Maybe they do this so they could avoid negative criticisms from fans, esp. those who had their criticisms stuck on their heads in the long run. And in that way, they will find their best local singer and improve arrangement of their song quietly on their own while… Read more »
Am I the only one that honestly doesn’t care about the staging and just enjoys the song? Okay.
Disqualification for Sweden!!!!!
the figure is alike, but anyway the song is still one of the best with or without the projection, and i think they will have a more impressive staging on may