Entertainment of Wednesday, 9 October 2013

Source: George Clifford Owusu

Joyful Way to drag Joyce Blessing to court over stolen song

One of Ghana’s enterprising gospel artistes, Joyce Blessing is facing a copyright infringement suit over claims that significant portions of her recent hit song ‘Nyame Egwamaa’ were taken directly from Joyful Way’s song, ‘Wahenni To Rentwa Da’ which was recorded in Ghana in 1994.

BEATWAVES gathered that Joyce Blessing song ‘Nyame Egwamaa’, released recently is a reproduction of ‘Wahenni To Rentwa Da’. According to the management of Joyful Way, it is copyright infringement to use somebody’s intellectual property without his concern.

BEATWAVES learnt that the leaders of Joyful Way Incorporated, a gospel music group based in Accra, has already instructed their lawyers to institute legal action against Joyce Blessing and her record label, Media Excel Production for copyright infringement.

They also want Joyce Blessing and Media Excel to withdraw the infringing song and its corresponding video from the market until both parties arrive at an amicable settlement of the matter.

The management of Joyce Blessing, Media Excel Production, has failed to comment on the issue. But sources close to Media Excel told BEATWAVES that the management of Media Excel and their lawyers last night held a meeting behind closed doors to find solution to the problem.

BEATWAVES can confirm that Joyful Way has given Joyce Blessing and her management seven days to settle the case otherwise it would seek redress at the law court.

When the Chief Executive Officer of Media Excel Production, Ernest Kwasi Ennin was contacted though he did not deny or confirm the issue; all that he said was “please I will get back to you”.