BBC counters Kano singer Abdul Kamal on use of soundtrack

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Hausa Service has countered Kano-based musician Abdul Kamal over his copyright infringement suit.

Kamal sued the broadcaster before the Federal High Court in Kano, seeking N120 million in damages for the alleged use of his soundtrack during its programme ‘Daga Bakin Mai ita’ without his consent.

In a counter affidavit, the BBC Hausa Service said that since the plaintiff quantified his claim into monetary terms, there is no need for the court to give the order of interim application to stop the use of the soundtrack.

In his motion on notice, the plaintiff’s lawyer Bashir Ibrahim argued that the prayer asking the court to award damages against the defendant was in order as one cannot go to the court without a specific request.

“The court is not Father Christmas, you cannot go to the court barehanded without mentioning what you want the court to do for you.

“We initially filed an application for the court to stop the defendant from using our soundtrack,” the lawyer said.

Justice N. M Yunusa adjourned the case to February 12, 2024, for continuation.