After protracted court cases and threat to life, Runtown, Eric Many officially part ways

Nigerian sensational singer Runtown has officially severed ties with Eric Many Entertainment following the expiration of his contract ending a torrid time with the record label.

The artiste who is now exclusively managed and represented by Soundgod Music Group issued a statement announcing the expiration of his contract ending an experience strewn with a protracted court cases over constant breach of contract, irreconcilable differences and threat to his life.

According to him, ‘“effective June 22, 2018, the music artist Runtown, also known as Soundgod, shall and is no longer affiliated with Eric Many, Ltd., Eric Many Entertainment, Incorporated, or any of its affiliates, associates, agents, assigns or subsidiaries. Runtown is now exclusively managed and represented by Soundgod Music Group’.

The statement by Runtown reads thus in full; “Despite numerous breaches of the Recording Agreement by Eric Many, which would make it invalid and unenforceable, the Agreement entered into on June 21, 2016 officially came to an end on June 22, 2018.

“Pursuant to Section 6.5 of the Agreement, “The Parties agree[d] that the Artist is and remains the owner and lawful proprietor of the Professional Name and the Artist’s likeness.”

“Eric Many was only entitled to use the name Runtown throughout the duration of the contract, and for a period after termination of the contract for the promotion and sale of music.

“Eric Many does NOT own the name “Runtown” or “Soundgod,” and is NOT entitled to trademark, copyright or use the name without the explicit consent and approval of the artist. Public use of the name Runtown began in 2008, before the signing of any contract with Eric Many.

“Further, there is NO court order currently enjoining or preventing Runtown from singing, performing or recording music. Please be advised that the interim injunction granted by the High Court of FCT against Runtown on 10 May 2018, has now expired by effluxion of time pursuant to Order 43 Rule 3(2) of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (Civil Procedure) Rules 2018. The said injunction became ineffective on the 17th of May, 2018.

Read also: Runtown’s boss arrested, released for alleged attempt to kill musician

“To date, Eric Many has filed two frivolous law suits against Runtown. On May 24, 2018, Eric Many withdrew the initial frivolous lawsuit it filed in Lagos, Nigeria after realizing its claims could never be proven. The Lagos court ordered Eric Many to pay Runtown’s costs associated with that suit.

“Interestingly, instead of adding any new claims to the Lagos suit, Eric Many filed a new law suit in Abuja, Nigeria, while the first law suit in Lagos was still pending. The second lawsuit abandoned all of the claims made in the first law suit, and claimed that Runtown owed an unconscionable amount of money to the record label.

“Eric Many has yet to show any reliable proof or records of its claims. Instead it has only provided Runtown with a loosely composed accounting that shows fraudulent figures, unsubstantiated expenses and zero financial responsibility on the part of the record label.

“In short, the record label placed all financial responsibilities, including the costs of all travel, regular business expenses and even legal fees of the label on Runtown.

“All expenses of running the record label were charged to the artist, which is a clear breach of the recording agreement that requires the label to shoulder such costs.

“Runtown filed suit against Eric Many in New York for breach of contract, unpaid royalties and defamation. On May 25, 2018, the New York State Supreme Court Judge ordered Eric Many to continue to pay royalties to Runtown for the distribution of his music in the United States. Eric Many is in violation of that order, having paid Runtown nothing since February 1, 2018.

“We are confident that after this matter is properly litigated in Nigeria and the United States, it will become evident that Eric Many did not only breach the recording agreement severally and abuse its power, but that it has been fully reimbursed for its initial investment and is currently indebted to Runtown for unpaid royalties and revenue. One cannot seek relief from the same contract which it has repeatedly breached.

“Runtown is not in the business of breaking contracts. We want to assure all fans and supporters that for as long as God shall allow, Runtown is and will continue to be focused on making, sharing and performing good music worldwide,” the statement read in full.

Three months ago, Runtown’s record label boss and owner of Dilly Motors, Dili Umenyiora was arrested and detained by policemen of the Force CID, Alagbon for the attempted murder of the singer.

In recent times, Umenyiora and his former label artist, Runtown, have been at loggerheads especially after the record label sued the artiste for breach of contract.

The record label filed an injunction at a Federal High court against the singer in March for attending shows outside the country and recording an album without its consent and approval.

The label, Eric Many in the suit also sought the sum of N65 million being general damages against the defendant (Runtown) in favour of the plaintiff for infringement of the plaintiff’s copyright to the collaborative musical works “Call Me” and “Weekend” both of which featured the Defendant as well as N5 million as costs of the action.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now