In a sensational and unprecedented move, popular Disk Jockey, DJ Azonto is demanding a staggering $10 million in compensation from Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The demand comes after Bawumia allegedly used DJ Azonto’s hit track ‘Fa No Fom’ during a campaign event in Nalerigu without authorization, sparking a heated debate over intellectual property rights.
In a fiery statement released on social media, DJ Azonto’s management, known as the Rolls Royce Family, accused the Vice-President of a “clear infringement of intellectual property rights.”
They argue that the unauthorized use of the song in such a high-profile political campaign not only devalues the artist’s work but also causes significant financial and reputational damage.
“This amount reflects the value of the work and the damages incurred to the artist and management due to its misuse in such a high-profile campaign,” the statement read, highlighting the serious implications of the alleged infringement.
The Rolls Royce Family further admonished all to respect copyright laws and intellectual property rights, emphasizing that a simple call to DJ Azonto’s management could have prevented this controversy.
They expressed willingness to collaborate with anyone wishing to use their artist’s work, provided proper legal channels are followed.
The statement from DJ Azonto’s camp called for immediate action from Bawumia’s campaign team to address the issue and prevent similar oversights in the future.
They stressed the need for a fair and timely settlement to resolve the unauthorized use of the song, protecting the intellectual property rights of Ghanaian artists.
“We urge Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team to immediately address this issue and take steps to prevent such oversights in the future,” the Rolls Royce Family stated.
“We also request a fair and timely settlement from Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s team to resolve the unauthorized use of DJ Azonto’s song in a manner that protects and respects the intellectual property rights of the country.”
This bold move by DJ Azonto and his team highlights the ongoing struggle for artists to protect their work from unauthorized use, even at the highest levels of political power.
The demand for such a hefty compensation underscores the seriousness with which the Rolls Royce Family views this infringement, setting a controversial precedent for how intellectual property rights are enforced in Ghana.
As the nation watches closely, the Vice-President’s response to these allegations could have far-reaching implications for the respect and protection of creative works in the political arena.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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