Mwana FA, AY Ordered to Refund Tsh 2.1 Billion Paid to them over Copyright Infringement
8 December 2020
[Photo Credit:Simulizi na Sauti Instagram]
By Branice Nafula
The Tanzanian High Court has ordered musicians; Hamisi Mwinjuma (Mwana FA) and Ambwene Isaiah (AY) to return Tsh 2.18 billion paid to them by giant telco Tigo over a copyright claim.
Read Also: Magufuli Wants me to Continue with Music - Mwana FA
Four years ago, a Tanzanian court found Tigo company guilty of violating the Copyright Law by using songs from the two artistes as ring back tones without their consent.
Download Mwana FA Music for Free on Mdundo
The songs that triggered this court battle are ‘Dakika Moja’ and ‘Usije Mjini,’ featuring AY, MwanaFA and the late Mangwair, famed for his Mikasi hit.
In April 2016, the Senior Resident Magistrate of the Ilala District Court ordered the two to be compensated following the lawsuit they filed against Tigo.
The duo was awarded TSh2.18 billion (Sh96 million) for damages by Ilala senior resident magistrate Juma Hassan after a 4-year court battle with the giant telecommunication company.
However, this has been overturned by Judge Joacquine De-Mello who agreed with Tigo's appeal that the Ilala District Court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.
This is a major setback for the artists as Tigo's lawyer, Rosan Mbwambo, said he would write a letter to the two asking them to return the money they had been paid failure to which they risk having their assets frozen.
Leave your comment