A Ghanaian acappella group, Alabaster Box, has sued rapper Medikal for copyright infringement over his song “Welcome to Africa”.
The group claims Medikal used 10 seconds of their song “Akwaaba” without permission.
Earlier, the group demands that Medikal immediately withdraw “Welcome to Africa” from all digital and traditional platforms, cease its public performance and marketing, and terminate any contracts associated with the song’s production and distribution.
Additionally, Alabaster Box wants Medikal to provide a detailed account of revenue earned from the song and disclose the identities of individuals involved in its promotion and distribution.
In a writ of summons signed by the lawyer of Alabaster Box, Richard Nunekpeku, Medikal only deleted the first ten seconds of the song from only YouTube, but what he uploaded with their copyright material is still on all other streaming platforms — Audiomack, Boomplay, Spotify and Apple Music.
The writ says deleting the first ten seconds without even contacting us is disrespectful and an admission of guilt.
Alabaster Box is therefore claiming an award of general damages for Medikal’s infringing conduct in the sum of Ten Million Ghana Cedis (GH₵10 million).
They also demand exemplary damages in the sum of Five Million Ghana Cedis (GH₵5 million) for Medikal’s action and for attaching their brand to profane lyrics in his song, GHS5 million.
Story by: Quaye Miriam
