The Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah, was demanded to pay a certain sum by the management of Ghanaian Amapiano phenomenon Mark Kwesi Arthur, better known by his stage name DJ Azonto.
The vice president of Ghana allegedly utilized DJ Azonto’s hit song “Fa No Fom” at his presidential campaign rallies in the North East Region of Nalerigu without permission, according to a release from the record company .
It goes on to add that the situation is getting worse because the video of the unlawful song usage became viral online.
In a statement signed by Public Relations Officer Sammy Anim, DJ Azonto’s management noted that they were disappointed that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia used the Fa No Fom at his presidential campaign event in the Northeast region, Nalerigu.
The management proves that using DJ Azonto’s song without permission for political campaigning is blatantly illegal and constitutes intellectual property infringement. DJ Azonto’s management, Rolls Royce Family, noted that the lawsuit came at a viral video of Dr Bawumia dancing to the hit song on a podium. Because of this, the management is requesting that vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia pay them $10 million.
This unauthorised use of our artist’s property for campaign purposes is unacceptable and a clear infringement of intellectual property rights. As the rightful managers of DJ Azonto’s work, we were neither approached for permission nor did we authorise the use of “Fa No Fom” in any capacity related to the Vice President’s campaign. This action disregards the creative rights body and also, efforts of DJ Azonto and the Rolls Royce Family management,” the statement read.
Justifying their demand for $10 million compensation, DJ Azonto’s management stated that the 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.
Below are the opinions of Ghanaians regarding DJ Azonto’s lawsuit against Dr Bawumia for using his Fa No Fom hit song at one of his campaign rallies without permission:
