Key Metrics
100+
unlicensed uses found in local regions
Executive Summary
Discos Fuentes, Colombia's first major record label and often called the country's "Motown," has spent nearly a century building a catalog that helped define Latin American music. But as its historic recordings spread across digital platforms throughout Latin America, the label discovered that brands and content creators were using its music in commercial campaigns without securing proper licenses. With unauthorized use concentrated in Latin American regions where Discos Fuentes' music is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric, the label needed a partner with global capabilities and regional focus. That's when Discos Fuentes partnered with Third Chair. Within months, Third Chair identified more than 100 unauthorized uses in targeted Latin American markets, showcasing Third Chair's global enforcement capabilities and its ability to protect IP rights in the specific regions that matter most to rights holders.
Introduction
Established in 1934 by Antonio Fuentes Estrada, Discos Fuentes is Colombia's first notable record label. Founded in Cartagena and later relocating to Medellín, the label played a pivotal role in introducing Colombia to Afro-Caribbean genres such as cumbia, fandango, merengue, porro, and salsa. Often referred to as Colombia's "Motown," Discos Fuentes achieved several national firsts, including releasing the first compilation album in 1960 and the first compact disc in 1987.
The label has been home to legendary artists including Guillermo Buitrago, Rafael Escalona, and Julio César Bovea, shaping the sound of Latin America for generations. Discos Fuentes' enduring influence was recognized in 2022 when it became the only Colombian record company to be a finalist in the Latin Billboard Awards, cementing its status as a cultural institution. With a catalog spanning nearly 90 years of Colombian musical history, Discos Fuentes represents one of the most important archives of Latin American music in the world.
Challenge
As Discos Fuentes' historic catalog gained renewed attention across streaming platforms, social media, and digital channels throughout Latin America, the label faced a growing enforcement challenge. Brands, advertisers, and content creators were using Discos Fuentes' music in commercial campaigns, promotional videos, and branded content without securing proper synchronization licenses. While some companies properly licensed the music, many commercial uses occurred without authorization—especially in Latin American markets where Discos Fuentes' recordings have the deepest cultural significance.
The problem was particularly acute in specific Latin American regions where the label's music is most culturally relevant. Discos Fuentes needed to monitor and enforce rights across multiple countries, each with different legal systems, market conditions, and digital ecosystems. Without a partner capable of operating globally while maintaining focus on specific regional markets, comprehensive enforcement was out of reach.
The challenges were clear:
Detecting unauthorized commercial use across diverse Latin American territories
Identifying specific infringements in regions where Discos Fuentes' music has the strongest cultural connection
Managing international IP enforcement without the resources or legal networks to operate across multiple countries
Monetizing unauthorized use by converting infringements into compliant licensing agreements in key markets
Solution
That's when Discos Fuentes partnered with Third Chair to help enforce its copyrights and recover owed licensing revenue across Latin American markets.
Working with Third Chair, Discos Fuentes gained access to a global enforcement platform designed to monitor digital platforms, social media, and commercial content across international markets. Third Chair's global reach—combined with its ability to focus enforcement efforts on specific regions—proved critical for Discos Fuentes' needs.
Through the partnership, Discos Fuentes was able to:
Monitor platforms worldwide while concentrating enforcement on key Latin American regions where its catalog has the most cultural and commercial value
Identify 100+ unauthorized commercial uses in targeted local markets, showcasing Third Chair's ability to detect infringements in specific geographic regions
Prioritize high-value opportunities by focusing on major advertisers, agencies, and high-reach campaigns operating in Latin America
Escalate matters to Third Chair's network of experienced attorneys with expertise in cross-border IP enforcement
This approach enabled Discos Fuentes to protect its historic catalog in the Latin American markets that have been central to the label's legacy and ongoing relevance for nearly a century.
Result
With Third Chair's global enforcement infrastructure in place, Discos Fuentes transformed unauthorized use into measurable licensing outcomes. After several months of working together, Third Chair helped Discos Fuentes achieve significant results:
Identified more than 100 unauthorized uses in targeted Latin American regions
Established a scalable framework for ongoing enforcement and revenue recovery across international markets
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