Veteran Nigerian singer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has threatened to sue Premier Records Limited over an alleged violation of the terms of agreement in musical contracts signed about 35 years ago.
The singer’s lawyer, Mr Rockson Igelige, made this known in a letter written to the record label expressing Charly Boy’s grievances.
The letter, dated June 19, 2023, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, claimed that Charly Boy had signed Artists Recording Contracts with the company in 1988, 1990, and recently.
According to the lawyer, the contracts had since expired, but Premier Records was still infringing upon his client’s copyrights to the musical works.
The letter demanded that the company hand over Charly Boy’s master tapes, artworks, promo collateral for the music, and other relevant and confidential information within 30 days of the date of the letter.
The lawyer also demanded payment of Charly Boy’s outstanding royalties.
“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 read in parts.
The albums affected, as stated by Mr Igelige, included the one recorded in 1990, featuring 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’, and ‘Akula’ (instrumental). Another album mentioned was ‘Reality’, which contained songs like ‘Monkey’, ‘Family Support’, ‘No.6 Man’, ‘Give Me Life’, ‘Lagos Life’, and ‘Baby Come Back’.
The lawyer argued that the contracts with the company, initially known as Polydor Record in 1988, then Polygram Records Limited in 1990, and currently Premier Records Limited, had expired due to the passage of time.
“As a result, we have our client’s instructions to formally inform your company to stop further breaching our client’s copyrights to the musical works under the musical albums and singles produced during the aforementioned expired contract period,” stated Charly Boy’s lawyer. “This is because the conditions precedent, as well as the consideration for the contracts, were not met and furnished.
“This serves as a legal notice that further breach after the receipt of this letter will attract legal action.“We hope and trust that your company will comply with our client’s modest demands,” he added.
