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More than a song, as legal wrangle mounts over Footy Show theme

Co-writer of Footy Show song claims Nine has been using theme song without authorisation.

The co-writer of AFL Footy Show theme song “More Than a Game” is locked in a legal stoush with Nine claiming he is owed years of royalties, the Herald Sun reports.

Melbourne lawyer Darren Sanicki, who co-wrote the song in 1994 with Harvey Silver, claims a 1994 agreement to use the song was renewed at the start of each season but since 1998 Nine has used it without permission.

Nine maintains that since 1998, Sanicki assigned rights to the broadcast of the song to the Australasian Performing Right Association.

According to a write filed with the Federal Court, “GTV has produced and broadcast the program every year since early 1998 and since 2011 has produced 29 or 30 episodes of the program each year. The song has continued to be used at the commencement of each episode, during the program and in television advertising for the program.”

Sanicki has written to Nine for five years over the matter. He is seeking compensation for loss, including missed ­licence fees, and damages.

A Nine spokesperson said the network had been in negotiations regarding the song but declined to comment.

The case is due to be heard next month.

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