Rex Omar wins copyright case against “Joy Dadi Bitters” and acquires GHc200,000…

After almost 5 years of legal tussle, the Koforidua High Court has awarded GHc200,000 to Rex Omar for his intellectual property that Joy Industries Limited used without his prior notice.

The High court further awarded costs of GHc30,000 to the veteran musician.

On June 15, 2015, Rex Omar filed a suit against Joy Industries Limited for using parts of his “Dada dida” song to promote products of Joy Dadi Bitters without requested and acquired permission from his end.

In November that same year, Rex Omar secured an interlocutory injunction restraining Joy Industries Limited from continually using his works.

The court further ordered that all staff of Joy Dadi Bitters should stop all electronic media from playing the commercial with immediate effect then.

The versatile musician has indicated that his victory is for all hardworking musicians in Ghana who have been taken for granted for so long.

This is not the first time companies or individuals have used the intellectual properties of celebrities without their consent. For instance, Kwame A Plus is currently battling Barclays Bank – Ghana (soon to be called ABSA) for allegedly contracting Kojo Nkansah Lilwin to use Bosom P-Yung’s “Attaa Adwoa” for their commercials without P-Yung’s prior notice.

BY: C. A. Asante
Freelance Writer
Ghana