onegig:

Let me explain better. It's not only about the lyrics alone.

Listen to the sounds, the rhythm, the flow of words, the use of instruments and its immitations . That's what copyright laws are after.

What flow of words, rhythm and instrument? The instrument Uwaifo used was even an old system, the flows was a classic highlife.

If I tell 10 people to write a story about a mango tree. There would be 10 different ideas and storylines.

You can't copyright "story about a mango tree" but you can copyright the individual 10 different ideas that came up. If someone imitates whether knowingly or unknowingly any of such because he read one of the stories previously or has heard of it before. He has infirgened on the copyright of the person.

So should we sue Uwaifo for copying the popular tale and the name of the worrior "Joromi" to his song?

Everything about the song was not even invented by Uwaifo himself, someone here even said the beat Uwaifo used was formerly used by an Igbo musician, the title was a name popular known by people and the tale, the only copyright he has is the rhythm of the song.

Uwaifo used the idea of the name Joromi that's known to people into his song, Simi also used the name Joromi for her song same as Jaywon but they make sure they don't sound like legedary Uwaifo's classic sound.

"Joromi jomi jo" and "Joromi Joro" abeg do they completely sound alike?

Someone sang "Twinkle twinkle Little star" and I sang "twinkle star twinkle star" who will gonna sue me for this?

Chinua Achebe used "Things fall apart" he didn't give 50 cent the permission to use the title for his movie, 50 cent then decide to use "All things fall apart", does chinua Achebe still have right to sue him? Just a slightly difference the copyright don't hold again, just a slightly difference in the rhythm the copyright don't hold again.

DJ khaleed sampled the exact beat and sound of Carlos Santana song, he needed permission for that. Banky W ebute meta song and Rihanna Umbrella song sound very alike the beat and rhythm, I don't know if banky got permission from her.

Let me give you a quote so you understand better.


"Copyright law is against copying; if you come up with the exact same melody by yourself, then it's fine, as long as you can PROVE that.Good luck proving such.

To prevent people from abusing this, there's a rule that if you've had access to (heard, for example) a previous creation (in this case, the song) and your work is similar to that previous creation, then it will be presumed that you did copy and you have to prove you didn't (not easy). You can also be found to have "subconsciously copied". Balancing this is the rule that if you didn't intentionally copy, you won't be required to pay damages, only enjoined (ordered by way of injunction) to stop infringing the original copyright (so you can't sell your song etc.)"

Here is what I found here:

So how is this possible in a world where there are copyright laws you might ask? Well, in many countries, including the U.S. and Nigeria, copyright laws do not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases.
https://nlipw.com/copyright-in-movie-and-song-titles-in-nigeria/

Well Simi has to prove she didn't copy Uwaifo's joromi song, her manager or Simi herself have not speak out on this, until then there's no case here.

You wouldn't want to be in her shoes in court. Drop those N200 earpiece they sell on the streets and use a better earpiece to listen to the songs before making judgement. Wish we had sound engineers on nairaland.

just a few hours work analysing both sounds and giving an informed verdict.

Lol, N200 earpiece, you for kuku say N100 earpiece.

Well, I wish he sued Simi and Jaywon and let see how it turns out.

slapandfall:
We all know Sir V Uwaifoh is a living legend and what he said is not out of place.

Whether you ADOPT or ADAPT, you should always reference.

Possibly what Simi could do is to calmly engage Sir V Uwaifoh and respectfully let him know she didn't think of it that way and simply say I'm sorry sir.

I think she will get his prayers and respect forever.

Its not about who is right now, its about respect and humility

so she should give him credit for her idea, just so her can pray for her?
He is just trying to give undue hype to his own song titled joromi.
Na by force to adopt or adapt his song?
plagiarism for Yoruba name. #smh

Hozier:
Joromi, Jo mi joro is quite different from Simi's "Joromi, joro"

Stop arguing blindly! Even the guitar tune was used especially when you got to this part
"I dey give you signal joromi........"

Do you think it was a coincidence using the title plus the guitar tune? It was a rip off, simple.

Long life Sir Victor Uwaifo i been listening to his music for the longtime oo his song Joromi is still in my Memory hmmmmmm was he still living well OK. Joromi o jomi o . i love it ooooo. I still listening too his song called Joromi.

PVision2020:

Can you give us the tonic sofa of both songs and show if there is a similarity in notes?
The songs differ in time signature, lyrics, note and genre. The only similarity is the word joromi that was nor even invented by the legend. That you popularise an existing word doesn't give you any right to it. You can't patent what has been existing.

Chai! Nigerians!
Listen to the guitar tune that came up when simi started singing "I dey give you signal...." in other stanzas. That was Victor uwaifo's invented tune in his own joromi. Now tell me it was a coincidence.

tintingz:


What flow of words, rhythm and instrument? The instrument Uwaifo used was even an old system, the flows was a classic highlife.

So should we sue Uwaifo for copying the popular tale and the name of the worrior "Joromi" to his song?

Everything about the song was not even invented by Uwaifo himself, someone here even said the beat Uwaifo used was formerly used by an Igbo musician, the title was a name popular known by people and the tale, the only copyright he has is the rhythm of the song.

Uwaifo used the idea of the name Joromi that's known to people into his song, Simi also used the name Joromi for her song same as Jaywon but they make sure they don't sound like legedary Uwaifo's classic sound.

"Joromi jomi jo" and "Joromi Joro" abeg do they completely sound alike?

Someone sang "Twinkle twinkle Little star" and I sang "twinkle star twinkle star" who will gonna sue me for this?

Chinua Achebe used "Things fall apart" he didn't give 50 cent the permission to use the title for his movie, 50 cent then decide to use "All things fall apart", does chinua Achebe still have right to sue him? Just a slightly difference the copyright don't hold again, just a slightly difference in the rhythm the copyright don't hold again.

DJ khaleed sampled the exact beat and sound of Carlos Santana song, he needed permission for that. Banky W ebute meta song and Rihanna Umbrella song sound very alike the beat and rhythm, I don't know if banky got permission from her.

Here is what I found here:

So how is this possible in a world where there are copyright laws you might ask? Well, in many countries, including the U.S. and Nigeria, copyright laws do not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases.
https://nlipw.com/copyright-in-movie-and-song-titles-in-nigeria/

Well Simi has to prove she didn't copy Uwaifo's joromi song, her manager or Simi herself have not speak out on this, until then there's no case here.

Lol, N200 earpiece, you for kuku say N100 earpiece.

Well, I wish he sued Simi and Jaywon and let see how it turns out.

You seem not to get the point and at this instance I would back off. Folk tales are not copyrighted materials same way no one holds the copyright to the Bible or Holy Quran.

I guess the intricacies of what constitutes a copyright goes over you and I would agree it's a bit complex. So I would cut you some slack for not getting it.

Listening to Simi's song alone shows it's highlife and who else was known for his famous highlife style of music? Conincidence?

Of all the names in the whole world to use as Protagonist. Simi and her Manager couldn't find a replacement? Conincidence?

The breaking beats at the start and the subtle percussion in Uwaifor's Joromi and the it's computer imitation in Simi's own is just conincidence I guess.

I don't need to do a back and forth with you. You just talk around things without giving clear cut evidences to support your claims. Copyright do not cover phrases?

You seem to not know what you are saying. Copyrights do cover expressions.

Here's another quote. I hope it doesn't fly over your head as usual.

a perfect example is the song "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits. there's a throwaway line in the background that goes "I want my...I want my...I want my MTV..." which is sung by Sting, who's not in the band at all, but was lead singer and songwriter of another band called The Police.

The reason is that the melody is identical to a part of a Police song called "Don't Stand So Close To Me", but with the title lyrics instead: "don't stand so...don't stand so...don't stand so close to me"

to avoid a lawsuit before the song even came out, Dire Straits got permission from the Police and their publisher to include it, and Sting ended up singing the part, too. really random."
so are expressions/phrases covered by copyright or not?



The Robin thickk Blurred lines case that you guys like to quote wasn't even because of just lyrics but because of just that the groove was similar to that of Marvin Gaye's Got to give it up. Intellectual properties aren't things you kid with. I am not a fan of some aspects of copyright laws but definitely they are there to protect people.

This would be my last response.

omogin:

Joromi is a trademark. If she were abroad she will pay.

Joromi, a trademark....lol, I'm seeing things������

Well to avoid saying much. They said knowledge is power. Find out why 50cents "ALL things fall apart" movie was titled so and not "things fall apart" as was originally planned and all the legal undertaken engaged for just title. After doing this, edit your comments to hide ignorance

UbanmeUdie:




The blackface virus is becoming highly contagious.


Unlike blackface, Sir Victor Uwaifo is an epitome of a father and a jolly good fellow.

No hate but love and a fatherly advice for Simi and others who may wish to remix people's songs.


Sir Victor Uwaifo, a true living legend!!!

I Am Sure Your Living Legend Has Not Listened To Simi's Joromi Cause There Are No Similarities In Melody Or Lyrics.

Hozier:

Simi and Jaywon did not remix Sir Victor Uwaifor's song, that their songs bear the same title with his song does not mean stealing. Except the song title, Simi's Joromi is completely different from Uwaifor's Joromi.

And as much as I know, there is no where in law where a song title can be copyrighted.

[Verse]
Joromi Joromi
I want you to love me
Joromi baby
Joromi Joro
Kiode? Kilode o?
Why you no dey call me
Kilode baby?
Kilode Joro
I dey give you signal (joromi)
Why you no dey see me ah (joromi)
I give you green light tire (joromi Joro)...
Granted they didn't go word for word like the flavour rendition of Osadebe songs.
But they certainly lifted words from Uwaifo song. Especially that "joromi joro"

Tolexander:
Baba, your "Joromi" and Simi's "Joromi" are two different songs and genres. Though of the same title.

Abi oooo


Two different song.

Its like saying Davido stole "pere" from old mo'hit crew!

swaggss:


I think the man invented the name "joromi" or have u heard or seen anyone with such name, the name is "fictional". If so he has the right, I stand to be corrected sha.

Joromi is an old Edo folklore about a wrestler who defeated all rivals on earth and then decided to go take on wrestlers in the after world. Sir Uwaifo did not invent the name.

Tho I respect him for his music. But he can often be overly bashful and can descend to embarrassing depths at times. Remember watching and award ceremony where he was honored. He packed all his children on stage and started telling us where they schooled and what they do for a living. one by one too.

This is another embarrassing case. Simi's song bears no kind of semblance to his song. not whatsoever. just the name joromi

Ishilove:

They know, they are just being thieves.

The ones supporting the pirates have never had their work stolen hence their comments

there is no piracy in this case. not even a phrase from his song was used by simi. he sang his joromi in a local dialect. Simi's song was in English throughout. no similarity in style or concept.

just the name joromi which is a very common Edo word or name for a baby boy.

no piracy here. haven't heard jaywon's version sha

onegig:

You seem not to get the point and at this instance I would back off. Folk tales are not copyrighted materials same way no one holds the copyright to the Bible or Holy Quran.

I guess the intricacies of what constitutes a copyright goes over you and I would agree it's a bit complex. So I would cut you some slack for not getting it.

Listening to Simi's song alone shows it's highlife and who else was known for his famous highlife style of music? Conincidence?

Of all the names in the whole world to use as Protagonist. Simi and her Manager couldn't find a replacement? Conincidence?

The breaking beats at the start and the subtle percussion in Uwaifor's Joromi and the it's computer imitation in Simi's own is just conincidence I guess.

I don't need to do a back and forth with you. You just talk around things without giving clear cut evidences to support your claims. Copyright do not cover phrases?

You seem to not know what you are saying. Copyrights do cover expressions.

Here's another quote. I hope it doesn't fly over your head as usual.

a perfect example is the song "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits. there's a throwaway line in the background that goes "I want my...I want my...I want my MTV..." which is sung by Sting, who's not in the band at all, but was lead singer and songwriter of another band called The Police.

The reason is that the melody is identical to a part of a Police song called "Don't Stand So Close To Me", but with the title lyrics instead: "don't stand so...don't stand so...don't stand so close to me"

to avoid a lawsuit before the song even came out, Dire Straits got permission from the Police and their publisher to include it, and Sting ended up singing the part, too. really random."
so are expressions/phrases covered by copyright or not?



The Robin thickk Blurred lines case that you guys like to quote wasn't even because of just lyrics but because of just that the groove was similar to that of Marvin Gaye's Got to give it up. Intellectual properties aren't things you kid with. I am not a fan of some aspects of copyright laws but definitely they are there to protect people.

This would be my last response.

Ok, just read a comment she made herself, she said she was inspired by the song of Uwaifo's Joromi song. If this her comment is true then Uwaifo may win this case.

“I was trying to think an angle, I just sang the chorus and really liked the way it sounded, so I just built around that,” She says.

“One thing I did in my entire album is that I try to get inspirations from the work of legends. Not too long before I created the song, I was listening to ‘Joromi’ by Sir Victor Uwaifo, and I really liked the call-and –response thing he did, and it was inspiring. It makes the song more interactive. That’s one of the main reasons why I did the call-and-response in the song inspired.

“I also wanted to use the name. I have not heard that name in any other song before, so I thought it was going to be nostalgic and all.”
http://www.pulse.ng/buzz/simi-how-singer-s-trending-song-was-inspired-by-sir-victor-uwaifo-s-1969-record-joromi-id7164920.html

If this above statement is truly from Simi's mouth then she need permission from the legendary Victor Uwaifo. My bad I didn't do enough research on this.

Simi gave Uwaifo credit in her interview here, the only thing she didn't do was permission.

martineverest:
what u said doesn't follow...... Recall, Robin thicke was asked to pay $7m just 4 using a line of one old school artiste track

in this case, the only word that links the two songs is the word/name joromi.

its like calling every artiste who ever sang about Caro a thief. very wrong

Ishilove:

You are very wrong. Simi's 'joromi' is a rip off of Uwaifo's 'Joromi'. She used 'Uwaifo's' chorus in her song and even appropriated the title.

wow! are u talking about another simi song?

wasn't uwaifo's chorus totally in his dialect?

martineverest:
the tin just Taya me sha..... Nigeria youth, especially nairaland ones are just empty brained

I'm sorry, but who did uwaifo acknowledge before using the popular joromi word in his song? did he copyright the word?

omogin:

Joromi is a trademark. If she were abroad she will pay.

joromi is a popular Edo folktale that has been in existence long before Sir victor was born

Arondizuogu:


Are u naturally stupid? Joromi is his copyright. Even if it is a fashion statement, he made it popular and it became his copyright. All your statements reeks of stupidity.

joromi is a popular Edo folklore that has existed long before Sir Victor was born. it is also a name given to baby boys in edo.

don't just throw insults around

apalemighty01:


so she should give him credit for her idea, just so her can pray for her?
He is just trying to give undue hype to his own song titled joromi.
Na by force to adopt or adapt his song?
plagiarism for Yoruba name. #smh

You don't sound intelligent

DeRay98:


Another teenager, exploding in ignorance. You have no idea what piracy means.
Your likes of Indomie generation think you more music than, thorough bred musician, a legendary songwriter, composer, multiple instrumentalist and super microphone voice that can still replicate his songs of 50yrs without computer aided voicing or remix.
That's why many artists of today 'll fade out in less than 5yrs on the scene.

Are you done son?

Hozier:

Simi and Jaywon did not remix Sir Victor Uwaifor's song, that their songs bear the same title with his song does not mean stealing. Except the song title, Simi's Joromi is completely different from Uwaifor's Joromi.

And as much as I know, there is no where in law where a song title can be copyrighted.

it seems u don't really know what piracy is. na Watin some people take the chop for country with good piracy laws be this. if he had sued them for piracy, he would have won without stress. joromi na im artistic creation, u hear?

cyberguy72:
uwaifo shld go to hell.2 Totally different songs.BECOS THE SONG DON BLOW YOU WANT TO REAP WHERE YOU DID NOT SOW

dis guy u daft o! d man tell u say e dey hungry. d guy na Prof for uniben, was also a commissioner in Edo state and has several businesses. if na money e wan get from Simi for using his material weda d sound different or not, e for don sue her since and he for win without stress. learn to understand the message someone is trying to pass before u comment nonsense!

Lexusgs430:
Joromi is a name....... Can't they sing with a name again?
Or is he claiming sole right to the name, Joromi?

If he didn't sing that song first, what are the odds they could come up with the same?

Please let's get real. This stuff is why Nigerian music is stagnant. We've been hearing the same beat/track for the last 10 years!

No one cares to work and be original anymore. Just look for fragments of someone else's song and add some junk, and voila! Dumbos start dancing like it makes sense.

Mtsheeeeeew!

I highly respect Sir Victor Uwaifo, but he lost it on this one. There are countless songs with the same title. And I don't think there's any law prohibiting the use song titles.
Besides, Jayson and Simi's joromi are very different from Victor Uwaifo's own. This is a non issue.

jadyclem:


dis guy u daft o! d man tell u say e dey hungry. d guy na Prof for uniben, was also a commissioner in Edo state and has several businesses. if na money e wan get from Simi for using his material weda d sound different or not, e for don sue her since and he for win without stress. learn to understand the message someone is trying to pass before u comment nonsense!

Na u stupid pass. who tell you say na him coin that word JOROMI,that word has been in existence even before he wax that him song.Mumu abeg google the word JOROMI.BIG HEAD!

Jeezuzpick:


If he didn't sing that song first, what are the odds they could come up with the same?

Please let's get real. This stuff is why Nigerian music is stagnant. We've been hearing the same beat/track for the last 10 years!

No one cares to work and be original anymore. Just look for fragments of someone else's song and add some junk, and voila! Dumbos start dancing like it makes sense.

Mtsheeeeeew!

Can you draw any parallel between the old and new? Apart from the name, JOROMI................

Na wetin dey worry this old man. Simi's song Joromi is not the same thing as the Joromi of Victor Uwaifor. The titles are only the same. I beg go park well jare. He is looking for publicity which he will not get.

A lot of people are really ignorant. Unless plagiarism has a different definition.

The best these artist could have done is acknowledge him in the song.

thinkative:


there is no piracy in this case. not even a phrase from his song was used by simi. he sang his joromi in a local dialect. Simi's song was in English throughout. no similarity in style or concept.

just the name joromi which is a very common Edo word or name for a baby boy.

no piracy here. haven't heard jaywon's version sha

Jawon version is fast beat afro pop, referring to a lady. Baba should go and sit down

Lexusgs430:


Can you draw any parallel between the old and new? Apart from the name, JOROMI................

The catchy line "Joromi-Joro" that made the old song popular did same for the new.

Simi for title de song, "Segun" or "Johnson" or "Folarin" (fally baby) naa. Why Joromi?

Let's face it. The old song inspired Simi and Jaywon. Let them deny it.