The late Philly Bongole Lutaaya is a legendary Ugandan singer who contributed significantly to the music industry in the country. Unfortunately, his family has been experiencing copyright infringement of his works by some musicians who republished his music without consent.
In a public notice issued through the Nsereko Mukalazi and Company Advocates and published in the New Vision on May 2, 2023, the family revealed that they had previously allowed some musicians to redo some of Lutaaya’s songs. The agreement allowed them to perform the music publicly and sell the recorded CDs at shows for two years.
However, some musicians violated the agreement by publishing the music on digital platforms without the family’s consent. To address this issue, the family has warned anyone who uses Lutaaya’s music without the proper channels that they are defying the Neighbouring Rights Act 2006 and its regulations of 2010.
The family has also requested that anyone who wishes to remake Lutaaya’s music should contact them and that those who previously republished the music should renegotiate their contracts before performing the songs since their agreements are no longer valid. Moreover, the public, including artists and visual creators, are cautioned against reproducing, publishing, distributing, or modifying Lutaaya’s works without the family’s consent.
The new vision about Philly Bongole Lutaaya’s Family notes
The family’s move to issue a public notice is commendable since copyright infringement can significantly impact an artist’s legacy and financial gains. It’s vital for musicians and other creatives to understand the legal implications of using someone’s intellectual property without proper channels.
In conclusion, the late Philly Bongole Lutaaya’s family has taken a necessary step to protect his legacy and prevent copyright infringement. They urge anyone who wishes to use his works to follow the proper channels and obtain consent from the family. Creatives should respect intellectual property rights and avoid infringing on other artists’ works.
