Iceland in Eurovision 2025: Offir Cohen demands disqualification over plagiarism allegations against the Icelandic entry, citing similarities to his song “Hatunat HaShana.”
Following the victory of the Icelandic duo Væb in the national Eurovision selection with the song “Róa,” a dispute has arisen over alleged plagiarism and copyright infringement. Israeli composer Offir Cohen claims that the song is a copy of his work “Hatunat HaShana,” which became a hit performed by Eyal Golan and Itay Levy about seven years ago. The similarity between the songs is evident not only in the chorus melody but also in the arrangement resembling the Festigal version of “Hatunat HaShana,” and in that both songs are performed by male duos.
Listen to both songs:
View this post on Instagram
Legal Action and Official Response
N12’s culture reporter and editor, Noam Cohen, reports that the Israeli songwriter has sent a cease-and-desist letter through his lawyer. The letter was addressed to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the official Icelandic Songwriters and Composers Association (ISAC), demanding the song’s disqualification from the upcoming competition.
In the letter, the songwriter claims that the song infringes on his rights due to the identical melody. They added: “Given the high profile of Eurovision and the global exposure it provides to participants, this is a particularly serious case. We request the EBU to immediately remove the song due to copyright infringement.”
Icelandic Response and Previous Incidents
The Icelandic duo denied the allegations about copying the Israeli song: “We have never heard this song in our lives. We don’t listen to Israeli music. We only listen to Icelandic rap, Icelandic pop, and Eminem,” they said in an interview with Icelandic media. Meanwhile, the national selection management also addressed the issue. The director of the local competition, Rúnar Freyr Gíslason, commented on the case, stating, “Some say that every real Eurovision song resembles another Eurovision song.”
Potential Outcomes and Precedents
While legal action is being pursued, it’s unlikely that the song will be disqualified. A compromise agreement may be reached, potentially adding the Israeli songwriter to the list of songwriters for the Icelandic Eurovision entry. This would be similar to the settlement reached between the songwriters of the Israeli song “Toy,” with which Netta Barzilai won Eurovision 2018, and Jack White of The White Stripes, who claimed that the Israeli song songwriters infringed on his rights due to similarities to “Seven Nation Army.”
Iceland in Eurovision 2025
“Róa” is the song to be performed by Væb, representing Iceland in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. The song was written and composed by the duo, along with Ingi Þór Garðarsson. It is the songwriters’ first Eurovision entry and is performed in Icelandic.
The song describes the stages of building a boat from simple planks, preparing for a journey with suitable equipment, and sailing to distant destinations like the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Despite challenges and dangers, the song expresses optimism and determination to continue the journey, likening themselves to brave captains. The central message of the song is about facing challenges, seeking better places, and persevering through obstacles. The recurring chorus emphasizes the feeling of freedom and continuous movement across the waves.
Currently, Iceland ranks 34th in the betting odds for Eurovision 2025.
Source: N12
Eurovision 2025: This will be Iceland’s 37th participation in Eurovision. Iceland joined the competition in 1986 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 1999 and Eurovision 2009 after finishing second twice.
