Airtel to Pay Konshens Ksh 26 Million For Copyright Infringement

Konshens, a Jamaican dancehall musician, was given $180,000 (Ksh 26 million) after defeating Telecom provider Airtel Uganda in court.

Konshens, a Jamaican dancehall musician, was given $180,000 (Ksh 26 million) after defeating Telecom provider Airtel Uganda in court.

In an attempt to stop Airtel from using his songs as caller ringtones, Konshens filed a lawsuit.

The songs used include: Simple Song, Jamaican Dance, Gyal a Bubble, No Retreat and others.

In addition, he claimed that Airtel Uganda and its accomplices unlawfully accessed the songs. They availed them to the public as caller tunes at a fee of UGX 600 per download.

The court ruled that Airtel was liable for copyright infringement since they used and distributed the songs without the musician’s consent.

The court also observed that Airtel and onmobile global jointly sold the singer’s songs but never remitted any of the proceeds to him.

“It is declared that by using and distributing the plaintiff’s suit songs as caller tunes without his consent the first and second defendants are jointly and severally liable for infringement of the Plaintiff’s copyright in the said songs.

Airtel Uganda Limited is described as a mobile communications and information technology services provider which also provides mobile funds transfer and banking services known as Airtel Payments Bank.