Veteran singer, Paul Play has filed a lawsuit against
telecommunications service provider Etisalat before a
Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged copyright
infringement.
Paul Play asked the court justice to compel Etisalat
to pay him the sum of N200million for using his 2009
hit record “Mosorire” as part of Etisalat sponsored
reality show, “Nigerian Idol” for two years without
paying him a dime. Joined with Etisalat in the suit
marked FHC/CS/581/2014 is one Optima Media
Group.
The son of the legendary IK Dairo averred that
Etisalat particularly infringed his copyright after they
allowed a contestant perform his song on the show
without his consent. Paul Play says he is entitled to
an annual fee of N100million for the usage of his
song in his lawsuit.
The artiste therefore sought a declaration of the
court “that the act of adaptation, deployment, public
performance and exploitation of his musical work
titled “Mosorire” by the defendants without the
plaintiff’s prior consent, authorisation or permission
constitutes an infringement of the plaintiff’s
copyright, as guaranteed by the Copyright Act, Cap
C28, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004
and sections 6 (6) (b) and 44 of the 1999
Constitution.”

Typing

His right has been infringed upon by Etisalat.. Fingers crossed