One Word Global Records Limited has sued fast-rising artist Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed, better known as Bella Shmurda, for copyright infringement.
According to a report, Bella Shmurda is reported to have a contract with One Word Global Records Limited that will expire in 2022.
According to the Label, the singer has been releasing, publishing, distributing, and promoting songs and videos without its knowledge and authority which is in violation of the contract’s terms.
While his contract with One Word Global Records Limited is still in effect, the singer has gone so far as to announce that he has been signed to another record company, Dangbana Republik. The singer is also accused of collaborating with other artists without the permission of the record label.
According to the Label, the Singer has also failed to remit the royalties accruing from the exploitation of the songs released under the label.
In the Originating process filed by One Word Global Records, the Label claims ownership of the trademark to the name, “Bella Shmurda” as well as the copyright in all the musical works and recordings released under or in connection with the name.
The Label thus seeks the Order of Court restraining the Singer from laying claim to the name and performing the musical works released under or in connection with the name. The Label also seeks the sum of N200 million damages for the Singer’s breach of the Contract.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Label, Prince Nkem Onyenwenu, all efforts to get Bella Shmurda to listen to the voice of reason have proved abortive and the Singer.
He threatened that the Label would not hesitate to file similar actions against any person or organisations who aids, assists or partakes in the violation of its trademark in the name and its copyright in the musical works released under the name.