Megan Washington is taking flight around Australia next month for a national tour in anticipation of the release of her much-anticipated sophomore album, but chances are she won’t be using iconic airline carrier Qantas.
The Award-winning songwriter has claimed victory over Qantas, settling a substantial settlement with the airline following a year-long dispute over the alleged misuse of a performance of popular anthem, ‘I Still Call Ausralia Home’.
The 28-year-old performed the Peter Allen-penned classic at Qantas’ 90th Anniversary bash back in 2010, but last year took legal action against the airline, seeking $500,000 in damages for deceptive conduct after they started using a video recording of Washington’s performance as a promotional tool on their website, YouTube channel, and as part of their in-flight entertainment.
The singer says that the use of the video not only breached alleged agreements between her and the airline over the performance but also raised serious issues over copyright and damage to her artistic reputation.
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The case reached the Federal Circuit Court in February, but as ABC News reports, Qantas have now reached a settlement with the ‘Sunday Best’ hit-maker’s for an undisclosed amount. Though it has paid out Washington, Qantas disputes that it was ever in the wrong over utilising the ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ video for promotion.
“We have never accepted that we misused this video,” reads a statement from the airline. “Qantas settled to put an end to the dispute, where the legal costs far outweighed the value of the claim.”
While Washington is believed to have claimed a significant sum, she was ordered by the court to pay for Qantas’ second round of litigation costs after the airline disputed the way in which its court fees were calculated.
“While settlement details are confidential we are pleased the dispute has come to an end and believe the litigation was settled in a very satisfactory manner for Qantas,” read the statement.
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The news follows reports that Washington has switched management ahead of the release of her new album, splitting with HUB Artist Services and is now under the wing of Chugg Music’s Andrew Stone. She was also the subject of ABC doco series Australian Story last week, in an episode (which you can watch online here) detailing her battle with a lifelong stutter that affected her personal life and music career.
“I have never in my life been as moved as I am tonight,” wrote the songsmith in a Facebook post following the positive flood of messages from Australian Story viewers; “Hey, Australia, thanks for being understanding & clever & empathetic & awesome. I am grateful to you.”
Washington is set to release her second full-length album There There – the follow-up to her ARIA-scooping 2010 debut album I Believe You Liar – on Friday 12th September (via Universal) and embarks on a five-date national tour next month in support of new single ‘Limitless’.
Washington Australian Tour 2014
Tuesday 19th August – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Friday 22nd August – Fly By Night, Perth
Saturday 23rd August – Uni Bar, Adelaide
Thursday 28th August – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Saturday 30th August – The Zoo, Brisbane
Tickets and info at http://www.meganwashington.com
