Hip hop star Juliani, born Julius Owino Ooko is taking legal action against the ruling Jubilee Party over copyright claims for using his track Utawala to promote the BBI Report.
The music artist condemned the party for “hijacking his thoughts and voice” without his consent during their bid of the newly unveiled political document.
Also read: Why Juliani quit the gospel music industry!
Juliani’s legal address to Jubilee Party
“There is a lot you can take away from me, I won’t flinch. But not my thoughts and my voice,” Juliani clarified.
In a legal statement issued by his lawyers, the Utawala hitmaker accused the ruling party for infringing on intellectual property, after using a portion of the song as the soundtrack of their promotional video on one of the party’s Twitter handle.
According to the artist, “he enjoys exclusive rights under Copyright Law hence his creative work cannot be used by anyone else for whatever purpose, without his authorization.”
Further bashing the BBI report for some of its flaws that go against the party’s own principles for initiatives like job creation especially for the youths.
It is in this regard that the artist, through his lawyers felt disrespected, using his production without his consent, that implied to Kenyans he is partisan and endorses their political views.
In the end, tarnishing his name and earnings for the future.
It is in view of that, that he demands that the party’s promotional video be pulled down across their social media platforms and admit liability for infringement in 72hours, otherwise warranting further action.
Juliani’s legal statement through his lawyer, James T. Makori has elicited mixed reactions from netizens, many applauding him for demanding respect of his creative works, regardless the intensity.
There you have it!