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Majek Fashek threatens to sue Dakolo for copyright infringement

Published

8 years ago

July 7, 2016

Majek Fashek threatens to sue Dakolo for copyright infringement

By Ahmed Boulor

The back and forth between Majek Fashek and Timi Dakolo over the former’s song titled ‘Send Down The Rain’ which the latter remade in 2013 without permission according to Majek’s management has reached intense levels.

It could be recalled that Majek in an interview he granted Punch said Timi was wrong for not taking permission from him before doing a remix of the song in question saying the R&B crooner broke the rules of copyright.

“He broke the rules of copyright. He is a thief because in music business, he must take permission before he works on someone’s song. That is why we have COSON. I did not give anyone the right to do anything with my song. I have a management team I work with headed by Omenka Uzoma. Dakolo never bothered to look for me before stealing my song. He has infringed on the laws of copyright and he is not an original artiste. It is only people like 2face, Wizkid, and Olamide that are original. Majek said in the publication.

In his reply to the accusation, Timi took to his Instagram page to state his side of the story saying he went through the right procedure before remixing the song in the year 2013.

“My people, it saddens me to see such. I always try to do things rightly and lawfully; I paid his manager to remake the song, I got my invoice. I even mentioned to him during our rehearsals at the Headies. So, honestly I don’t understand this write-up.

“Oga Majek Fashek. I respect and love you. Your voice gives life to lyrics. You are one of the best musicians I know. God bless you,’ Timi wrote on his Instagram page following the allegation.

And following his reply to the accusation, Majek’s management team led by Omenka Uzoma Day has issued a statement saying Timi should show proof of permission or face legal action.

The full text of Majek’s managers statement reads thus below;

“My name is Omenka Uzoma Day [UZO], & I am Majek Fashek music business consultant Manager and sole representative. The main purpose of writing this open letter is to address the situation of you doing a cover version of Majek Fashek song without his prior consent or acknowledgement.

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“Although we appreciate and we are always on hand to support young and upcoming artist, not against the fact that they remixed the songs of legends but things have to be done in the right order, in the sense of acknowledging and giving accreditation to the rightful owners of intellectual property, we feel that there is infringement of copyright here.

“I am here with Majek in London and we are working hard on Majek new material which is our first and primal focus. And everything is going accordingly to God be the Glory.

“So I am actually alarmed to know that you Mr Dakolo an experience well respect Nigerian music artist within the Nigerian Entertainment would operate in such an uncanny manner.

“It is also surprising to see you steep so low as to use Majek Fashek iconic song ‘Send down the rain’ without me or Majek Fashek’s permission. It’s totally outrageous and beggars believe why you would disrespect and disregard Majek Fashek a Nigerian international living legend. You are trying to gain of Majek hard sweat.

“Majek does not know you personally and he has never meet you or even spoken to you on the phone before. It seems you are trying to capitalizing on Majek ups and down. And exactly whom did you pay and when and where did this take place? I am Majek only known Manager so it is interesting to know that you said you received an invoice. Please if you can kindly make this so called mysterious invoice public or any other documentation you have to prove you were giving permission to use his song.

“The truth is, with all due respect you have breached a copyright infringement pertaining ‘Send down the rain’. You were never giving permission by anyone to use the song.

“You did it off your own accord. So please to avoid us washing our dirty linen in public please if you can kindly remove all forms of material of your cover version of ‘Send down the rain’. We would welcome the opportunity to have a meeting with you to discuss thing further with you Mr Timi Dakolo so we can come to an amicable understanding to avoid us taking legal action because our Lawyers are aware of this case.‎” The statement by Majek’s management read in full.

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