Singer, Paul Play is dragging Etisalat and Optima Media Group for using his hit song Mosorire for two consecutive years without his permission. The lawsuit which is for N200 Million was filed at a Lagos High Court for use of the song on Nigerian Idols in 2012 and 2013 where a contestant was made to reproduce his song and sing during their programme without his express permission as the owner of the song.
The court paper in part reads;
“I am the copyright owner of the work named and tagged “Mosorire”, contained in my repertoire, exclusively for the jurisdiction of Nigeria and the authority or permission to exploit such work can only be obtained from me. However, the defendants being an organiser of a television reality show tagged, “Nigerian Idol” caused the use, adaptation and deployment of my said work titled, “Mosorire” on the said show without my consent, and which was broadcast to several millions of television viewers throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the rest of Africa for 2012 and 2013 editions.”
Paul Play is no stranger to lawsuits as in February 2013 he sued another telecommunications company, MTN for N500 M for unlawful use of his song in Project Fame.
Paul Play said that as a singer and composer, he was entitled to an annual fee of N100m on the track. He said for having made use of his song without reaching out to him for permission, the defendants, Etisalat and Optima media group had made him lose some money while according to him, they “made gains and improved on their own brand image.”. No date has been fixed for the hearing.
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