In Summary
- Bamboo wins 9 year court battle with Safaricom
- Safaricom ordered to pay him Kshs.9 million.
- Nonnini praises the rulling in benefit of the music industry
The court has ruled that rapper Bamboo be paid Kshs. 9 million by Safaricom for infringement of his music copyright.
READ Also: Bena wa Malines in Trouble as Hackers Demand Kes. 800K
The case took a record 9 years as Safaricom through Skiza tunes was found guilty of the music copyright offense.
The songs in question are Mama Africa featuring Akon and Move on Featuring Camp Mulla.
The offense, how it happened
Music Copyright Society of Kenya apparently gave Safaricom a music catalogue that had Bamboo’s songs.
It could have been out of goodwill or ignorance that they did not inform Bamboo of the transaction. An assumption that would get Safaricom into today’s predicament.
Bamboo argued that he was neither informed nor was he a Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) member. Therefore the body had no legal mandate to represent or transact on his behalf.
On realization, it is reported that MCSK offered Kshs. 1.2M for the damage, an offer he turned down and chose to go all the way to today.
He is today Kshs. 4M richer!
Nonnini Elated by the rulling
Genge founder Nonnini not a stranger to copyright battles is elated about the ruling in favour of the industry growth.
READ Also: “Avoid paying Tax!” – Sauti Sol advice to Content Creators.
“Copyright Shall be Respected! 🔥🔥🔥
So the story here is MCSK gave Bamboo’s songs to be put on Skiza but Bamboo was not an MCSK member. Bamboo was paid 1.2m by MCSK but he sued Safaricom and the content providers” Nonnini asserted explaining the situation.
“Now this ruling will change things in the Music Industry regards to how Skiza works. Safaricom will need to identify every copyright owner in a song and ensure they clear their rights. The Pandora’s box is Open!!! 🤣 #CopyrighShallBeRespected gerrem” An elated assertive Nonnini added.
About MCSK
Music Copyright Society of Kenya has been put on the spot on several occasions by musicians who complain of no pay and little pay.
The Society collects copyright fees on behalf of it’s members and distributes as per allocations and exploitations commercially.
This has always been clouded by complaints of unfair distribution to members. That latest ugly spat was with Bien of Sauti Sol who could not believe that as a top artist with massive airplay he deserved what was awarded to him.
Is could be a case of lack of sensitization or fraud, but the perception by Bamboo’s win has potential to damage MCSK’s public image.
