After almost 5 years of legal battle, the Koforidua High Court has slapped Joy Industries Limited with damages of GHc200,000 for using Rex Omar’s intellectual property without his permission.
The court also awarded costs of GHc30,000 to the veteran musician
June 15, 2015, Rex Omar filed a suit against Joy Industries Limited for using parts of his “Dada dida” song to promote and advertise their product, Joy Dadi Bitters’ without his consent.
In November, Rex Omar secured an interlocutory injunction restraining Joy Industries Limited from using his works
The court further ordered that directors, officers, agents and servants of Joy Dadi Bitters should stop any electronic media from playing the commercial immediately, pending the final determination of the case.
In a Facebook post Uncle Rex wrote: I didn’t go to court against Joy Dadi Bitters for the money. I did it for the principle and the creative arts industry.
You can’t use someone’s sweat and creativity just like that, without his permission, without crediting him and without paying him for it. That is against the law.
This should open the door for all musicians whose music is used without their permission to demand what is rightfully theirs.
I am glad I took this stand. We have been in court for years and I prevailed. But this is a sweet victory for the creative arts industry.
I must also thank my lawyers for staying by my side throughout this journey
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