Catholic priest Father Anthony Musaala has sued a soft drink manufacturing company accusing them of using his gospel song in product marketing without his consent.
Popularly known as the 'dancing priest', Musaala's case is filed before the civil division of High court through his attorney Henry Tumusiime against Alleluia Reflexology Health Solution and Nutrition Research Center Limited, the manufacturers and producers of Alleluia Natural Drink, a soft and energy drink.
Through his lawyers of M/S Nakasagga and Company Advocates, Musaala contends that he is the author of a praise and worship song titled 'Alleluyah' which he wrote and recorded about 12 years ago.
Musaala says however that early this year, the company allegedly run an advert on several local televisions about their drink, Alleluia featuring the song 'Alleluyah' which belongs to him. The Kampala Archdiocesan priest accuses the company of failing to seek his authorization and consent before running the said advert with his song runs in the advert background.
He adds that his song is a praise and worship one but the company used it to advertise a commercial drink which is contrary to the copyright laws of this country since it's a commercial advert. Through his lawyers, Musaala further contends that he has not benefited in any way by the use of his song by the company in its commercial advert and he believes that such actions are contrary to his right to ownership of his song and abuse of copyright laws.
Popularly known as the 'dancing priest', Musaala's case is filed before the civil division of High court through his attorney Henry Tumusiime against Alleluia Reflexology Health Solution and Nutrition Research Center Limited, the manufacturers and producers of Alleluia Natural Drink, a soft and energy drink.
Through his lawyers of M/S Nakasagga and Company Advocates, Musaala contends that he is the author of a praise and worship song titled 'Alleluyah' which he wrote and recorded about 12 years ago.
Musaala says however that early this year, the company allegedly run an advert on several local televisions about their drink, Alleluia featuring the song 'Alleluyah' which belongs to him. The Kampala Archdiocesan priest accuses the company of failing to seek his authorization and consent before running the said advert with his song runs in the advert background.
He adds that his song is a praise and worship one but the company used it to advertise a commercial drink which is contrary to the copyright laws of this country since it's a commercial advert. Through his lawyers, Musaala further contends that he has not benefited in any way by the use of his song by the company in its commercial advert and he believes that such actions are contrary to his right to ownership of his song and abuse of copyright laws.
Due to such actions, Musaala alleges that he has since suffered gross inconveniences for which he is seeking Shs 58.5 million in compensation. Additionally, Musaala also wants court to declare that he is the rightful author and owner of the song in question and also that the company violated his copyright.
When contacted the managing director of Alleluia Reflexology, Goodrich Muteguya, admitted that it's true they were using Musaala's song but he didn't know that it was wrong and have since recalled the adverts featuring Musaala's song.
When contacted the managing director of Alleluia Reflexology, Goodrich Muteguya, admitted that it's true they were using Musaala's song but he didn't know that it was wrong and have since recalled the adverts featuring Musaala's song.
Muteguya said that he contracted Kai Productions to make for him an advert and they are the ones that mixed it up with Musaala's song. Additionally, Muteguya says that he had previously learnt that Kai Productions had approached Musaala over the matter, but he doesn't know what followed later which prompted the priest to run to court.
As such, Muteguya says he is aware of Musaala's complaint and the company has instructed their lawyers also to guide them on how they can proceed with the court case.
As such, Muteguya says he is aware of Musaala's complaint and the company has instructed their lawyers also to guide them on how they can proceed with the court case.
Musaala is not new to controversy. He became even more famous in 2013 after being suspended from his priestly duties after he had allegedly accused fellow priests of sexual crimes, a move that Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga described as contrary to the good morals of the church.
Musaala returned to the Catholic fold recently in 2018 after seeking for forgiveness and being pardoned by Archbishop Lwanga who had suspended him.
Musaala returned to the Catholic fold recently in 2018 after seeking for forgiveness and being pardoned by Archbishop Lwanga who had suspended him.
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