UK-based digital music distributor Emubands Ltd recently removed the protest anthem “Glory to Hong Kong” from global music platforms such as iTunes and Apple Music, an action confirmed by the producers of the song, DGX Music on their Facebook page. This action followed an interlocutory injunction granted by the Hong Kong Court of Appeal on May 8, which seeks to restrain any activities related to the song in question.
DGX Music expressed their dissatisfaction with the song’s removal in a statement, emphasizing that the injunction has no extraterritorial jurisdiction. Moreover, they underscored that the song itself is not prohibited by the injunction but express skepticism about the song’s reinstatement given the latest response from Emubands.
In its injunction, the court affirmed national security as a priority. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam highlighted the court’s attempt to harmonize interests of national security and freedom of speech by confining the injunction to activities with seditious intent and offering exceptions for academic and journalistic reasons.
“Glory to Hong Kong” has been the subject of legal contention, as the Hong Kong governmental agencies pursued a prohibition of the song, which has been linked to Hong Kong’s 2019 anti-government protests. The Hong Kong Department of Justice (DOJ) applied to the High Court for an injunction in June 2023 citing the song’s potential violations of laws in Hong Kong such as the National Security Law and the Crimes Ordinance. However, the Court refused the request the subsequent month on grounds of its effectiveness and possible stifling effects on freedom of speech.
The DOJ appealed the denial in August, proposing that their application aimed to inhibit acts that may commit criminal activities. Activist Chow Hang Tung attempted to be declared a party to the injunction appeal, but the application was dismissed as Chow had not engaged in actions that the injunction intends to restrict.
Through their statement, DGX Music solicits the support from music distributors and legal professionals to assist in reinstating “Glory to Hong Kong” on music platforms.