Maverick musician and entertainer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has written Premier Records Limited alleging breach of his copyrights of his musical works by the company even after the contract he signed with it over 35 years ago has elapsed.
Charly Boy, in the letter to Premier Records Limited by his lawyer, Mr Rockson Igelige, alleged that Premier Records has been violating the terms of agreement it signed with him by continuing to make money from his works.
He therefore asked Premier Records to return Charly Boy’s master tapes, artworks, promo collateral and other relevant and confidential information belonging to the musician within 30 days.
He also asked the company to pay all outstanding royalties of Charly Boy in the letter dated June 19, 2023.
The lawyer said Charly Boy had signed Artists Recording Contracts with the company in 1988, 1990 and also recently.
He said his client signed the agreement as Polydor Record in 1988, Polygram Records Limited in 1990 which is now operating as Premier Records.
He, however, alleged that the contracts had since expired, but Premier Records was still breaching his client’s copyrights to the musical works.
“On our client’s instructions, we demand that your company handover our client’s master tapes, artworks, promo collateral for the music and other relevant and confidential information with your company within 30 days of the date of this letter.
“We also demand your company’s payment of our client’s outstanding royalties,” the letter read in parts.
According to Igelige, the albums affected included, the one recorded in 1990 containing songs such as Big Bottom, Aids, Sexy Lady, Mama, and Nwata Miss.
He also listed an album titled “U-Turn” with songs including Akula, Sheri, Comfort, Civilian Barrack, Akula (Instrumental).
Also in the list is an album titled “Reality” which contains songs such as Monkey, Family Support, No.6 Man, Give Mv Life, Lagos Life and Baby Come Back.
He contended that the terms of the contracts entered with the company as Polydor Record in 1988, Polygram Records Limited in 1990, and currently Premier Records Limited had ended by expiration of time.
“In this wise, we have our client’s instructions to formally inform your company to stop further breach of our client’s copyrights to the musical works under the musical albums and single(s) produced during the aforesaid expired contract period.
“This is as a result of the fact that the condition precedent as well as the consideration for the contracts were not met and furnished.
“This serves as a legal notice that further breach after the receipt of this letter will attract legal action.“We hope and trust that your company will comply with our client’s modest demands,” he said.
Source: Xtra.net
