A Nigerian music company, Eric Manny Records, has filed a suit to the tune of ₦65million against popstar, Runtown, for violating copyrights to the musical works “Call Me” and “Weekend”.
Runtown had allegedly breached some of the terms of agreements in the contract, causing the label to take matters to court.
According to a Bella Naija report, the label had already served the singer the court papers with suit number: FHC/L/CS/267/2018 prior to its public appearance.
Information in the court papers suggested that Eric Many Records and Runtown had agreed to invest around ₦114,456,670.00 (One hundred and fourteen million, four hundred and fifty six thousand, six hundred and seventy Naira) on the artiste’s music works.
“The Plaintiff will rely on a copy of the said Recording Agreement at trial. 7. Under the Agreement, parties recognize and acknowledge the sum of ₦114,456,670.00 as “Prior Investment”, representing the sum invested by the Plaintiff into the development of the Defendant’s musical works and records under the defunct ‘Artiste Agreement’, precursor to the ‘Recording Agreement”.”
A press statement released by the label this morning also claimed that the artiste had been working with other artistes without express permission from the label.
The label wrote in the statement today that Runtown had also been charging and receiving performances fees and also performing at private shows without permission from the label, suggesting that he is independent.
“He’s recording with artists like Del B without the written approval of the label and without an Eric Many appointee at the point of recording as agreed in our contract.
“Runtown has also been appearing in venues and collecting appearance fees without the approval of the label and also performing in private shows without the label’s consent.”
This act contravenes clause 4.4.1 of his record deal with the label, the release stated.
Eric Many Records said Runtown still owed the label for the purchase of Lamborghini Gallardo super car and an album which was yet to be released.
You’d recall that the “Gallardo” star and his record label fell out publicly in 2016 but patched up and re-signed a 2-year deal. They re-released the singer’s debut album Ghetto University shortly afterwards.
Runtown and his representatives are yet to respond to the lawsuit which could see him down by a whole lot of millions.