Challenges aren’t anything new because they are catchy, and showcase people’s creativity. They exist out there and are often associated with hit songs.
Perhaps the popular of its kind is the Jerusalema Challenge that went viral in all parts of the world in 2020. At that time, it was not a big deal because it helped popularize the tune. Heck, even South Africa’s President lauded it, and encouraged more people to make challenges because it helped unify South Africans.
That success of the challenges didn’t go very far in 2021 after the song’s creator Master KG and his production team decided that it was high time they reaped the records’ benefits from companies and brands using it.
The same thing is happening locally because copyright regulator KECOBO has issues a warning to companies that may be planning to take advantage of another local hit called Firirida.
KECOBO says that any commercial use of songs has to follow the law, and through authorization with the song’s owners.
Jerusalema craze now haunts many. Don’t blindly fall for every craze. It may lead you into trouble with the law. The law stipulates that the owner of the copyright has the exclusive right to control the distribution, reproduction and any derivative works
Make sure you are not caught on the wrong side of the law with the current Firirida craze. Get authority from the author if you want to make a derivative work of it. The law stipulates that the owner of the copyright has the exclusive right to control the distribution, reproduction and any derivative works.
Copyright infringement has legal consequences. Infringers may have to pay damages to the right owner, pay a fine, or even be imprisoned. Sometimes even a slight change to a work without permission can be an infringement.
-KECOBO in a series of statements.
