Singer and songwriter Julius Ooko popularly known as Juliani has accused the Jubilee Party of copyright infringement. This was after the party used a portion of his hit song Utawala to promote the BBI report.
The singer through his lawyer said that the party posted the BBI promotional video on it’s Twitter account on October 31st using part of his song.
Did you know that the #BBIreportbproposes the establishment of the office of Ombudsman of the Judiciary which shall play an important oversight role and receive complaints from members of the public against judicial officers? The jubilee party captioned the promotion video clip which features Juliani’s song as the soundtrack.
Through his twitter account, Juliani tweeted
A few of my friends have sent me hii clip. Using my song without my consent.
In the legal statement by his lawyers, it is indicated that the client being the author of the song, enjoys exclusive rights under copyright law hence his creative work can not be used by anyone else for whatever purpose without authorization.
His lawyer also indicated that only the copyright owner has the right to reproduce/ publish, make available, perform, or make an adaptation of his creative works. And any other person or entity would require a license to do so to avoid infringement.
Juliani through his lawyers in the letter expresses how disturbing it is to see the ruling party that forms the government infringing the same rights it is supposed to protect. Your actions go against the very principles that your sort stands for, such as job creation and income-generating opportunities for the youth. Your promotional video goes against building any bridges as it denies a young creative Kenyan his right to earn an honest living.
In the demand letter to the Uhuru-led party, Juliani has given them 72 hours to admit liability for infringement of intellectual property.
We also demand on behalf of our client that you admit liability for infringement of intellectual property in writing within the next 72 hours. So that we can further engage you on quantum. Should you choose to ignore this letter, we have unequivocal instructions from our client to institute mandatory legal proceedings against your party for damaged both general and specific in a court of law.
read the letter in part
Juliani was also quick to note that he is non-partisan and does his work for entertainment only.
As a result of the events, there have been mixed reactions from netizens. Many of them have commended him for demanding respect for his creative works. And various artists agreed that it is wrong for the government to do that.