Veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has threatened to sue Premier Records Limited over alleged violation of terms of agreement in musical contracts signed about 35 years ago.
He disclosed this in a letter written to the record label by his lawyer, Rockson Igelige, on Wednesday.
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, however, alleged that the contracts had since expired, but Premier Records was still breaching his client’s copyrights.
“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 stated.
According to Mr 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 like ‘Akula’, ‘Sheri’, ‘Comfort’, ‘Civilian Barrack’, ‘Akula’ (instrumental).
Also in the list is an album titled ‘Reality’, containing songs like ‘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,” Charly Boy’s lawyer explained. “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.”
Charly Boy’s lawyer warned that this “serves as a legal notice that further breach after the receipt of this letter will attract legal action.”
The letter added, “We hope and trust that your company will comply with our client’s modest demands.”
(NAN)
