Protest song Glory to Hong Kong has been reuploaded to Apple Music and Spotify, just days after the distributor pulled versions of the tune off streaming platforms following a Hong Kong court injunction.
Unlawful acts relating to the song were banned this month when an appeals court ruled that it had become a “weapon” to incite unrest in the city, overturning last year’s decision by a lower court that cited free speech concerns over a potential ban.
DGX Music, the team behind the protest song, announced the re-upload on Wednesday.
“Unjustified repression will not silence the people, and even if we lose our instruments and our accompaniment, even if we lose a publisher, our pursuit of freedom and democracy will never end,” it said in a Chinese statement on Facebook.
EmuBands, the original distributor of the song, removed the previous iterations of the protest song last week, citing the court order. “It was our decision to remove the song and yes, this is because of the court order,” the Scotland-based company said.
After the songs were pulled from streaming platforms, DGX Music said it hoped to have the song reinstated as soon as possible, adding that the song itself had not been banned by the government.
The city’s justice minister Paul Lam has said the song should not be considered “forbidden,” as the ban targets those who use it to promote Hong Kong independence.
New distributor
The new uploads on Spotify and Apple Music dated May 25 and 26, include an acapella version released as a single, as well as a Permanent Edition EP with orchestral, instrument, music box, and English versions.
The song was also uploaded to YouTube on Monday, with video descriptions stating that the tracks were provided to YouTube by music distributor Distrokid. The uploads on Apple Music and Spotify also attribute recording rights to 7196175 Records DK.
HKFP has reached out to DGX Music for comment.
The injunction prohibits broadcasting or publishing the song with relevant criminal intent; wilfully assisting, causing, procuring, inciting, aiding, abetting others to commit or participate in such acts; or knowingly authorising, permitting or allowing others to commit or participate in such acts.
The Department of Justice said in a reply : “The interim injunction also prohibits commission of any of the four types of specific criminal acts in relation to any adaptation of the song if the adapted song’s melody or lyrics or in combination are substantially similar to the song. Everyone should ensure the injunction is fully complied with.”
YouTube this month took down 32 videos listed in the court order. A YouTube spokesperson told HKFP that it was “disappointed” by the court’s decision but was complying with its removal order. Some versions remain accessible.
Glory to Hong Kong was first released in August 2019, at the height of the citywide pro-democracy demonstrations and unrest. Its lyrics include the protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” which the government has deemed “pro-independence” and capable of instigating secession.
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