Peshay 1996 Studio Set Copyright Dispute: Protecting Musical Heritage

Ron PyeRon Pye
3 min read

#What is the Peshay 1996 Studio Set copyright dispute?

The Peshay 1996 Studio Set copyright dispute is about a famous drum and bass mix being taken off YouTube. This is because of a copyright claim, which raises big questions about protecting legacy music and how digital systems handle takedowns.

Peshay 1996 Studio Set copyright dispute: IQ Artist Management stands with Peshay in advocating for systemic reforms to protect legacy music from predatory copyright practices. Below, we outline the facts of this case, its broader implications, and actionable steps to safeguard artistic integrity.

The Situation: A Landmark Mix Under Threat

In 1996, drum and bass legend Peshay released “Studio Set 1996″. This mix is a key part of electronic music history. Yet, it was removed from YouTube twice because of a copyright dispute by Dice Ryu Sykes (Ninj Yang Productions).

Key Facts :

  • Sykes claims Chameleon – Links (Good Looking Records, 1995) as his own, ‘Tropical Jungle (Remade)’ (U.S. Copyright Office #SR0001026600, 2025-02-11).
  • Audio analysis by Shazam shows Sykes’ upload is the original track from 1995.
  • YouTube’s system took down Peshay’s mix after Sykes’ claim, even though it was made 29 years before.

Why This Matters for the Music Industry

  1. Systemic Vulnerabilities Exposed

  2. Automated Takedowns : YouTube uses algorithms that put copyright claims first, leading to abuse.

  3. Legacy Works at Risk : Old tracks, from labels that don’t exist anymore, are easy targets for copyright abuse.

  4. Impact on Artists and Fans

  5. Lost Access : In 2022, over 34,000 disputed DMCA claims affected real content (Lumen Database).

  6. Eroded Trust : Fans can’t access cultural gems anymore. Artists lose control over their work.

IQ Management’s Position

  1. Fact-Based Advocacy

  2. Invalid Derivative Work : Sykes’ registration breaks 17 U.S.C. § 103(b). This law clearly states that unauthorised derivatives are void.

  3. Public Record Evidence : The 1995 release of Chameleon – Links (Good Looking Records, GLR 14) is confirmed by Discogs and MusicBrainz.

  4. Calls for Reform

  5. YouTube : They should automatically put back content if claimants don’t sue in 10 business days.

  6. U.S. Congress : They should change the DMCA to need proof of original ownership for works before 2000.

How You Can Support

  1. Sign the Petition

👉 https://www.change.org/SavePeshaySet
50,000 signatures will pressure platforms and lawmakers to act.

  1. Share Responsibly

  2. Use #SavePeshayMix #StopCopyrightAbuse and #ProtectMusicLegacy on social media.

  3. Direct followers to IQ Management’s updates.

  4. Educate Your Network

  5. Host talks about copyright reform at industry events.

  6. Share resources like the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s DMCA guide.

A Statement from Peshay

“This mix is a piece of our collective history. Let’s act to ensure future generations can experience the music that defined an era.”

Evidence of Disputed Ownership

The removal of Peshay’s 1996 Studio Set shows the need for better digital copyright rules. By working together, we can push for changes that protect music history.

Join us in defending music history.

Note: All claims are substantiated by public records and human audio analysis with direct historical references.

For media inquiries, contact alicia@iqmgmnt.com.

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Written by

Ron Pye
Ron Pye

Ron Pye is a Music Industry executive with MA in Music Industry Studies and BA in Music Business and Finance from the University of Liverpool.