Posted:
| Rakesh Roshan pays Rs 2 Crore for plagiarism |
By: Upala KBR, Mid-Day
Saturday, April 12 2008
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Krazzy 4 producer Rakesh Roshan is a wiser man today. After his recent legal wrangle with composer Ram Sampath over copyrights of the film's track for which he had to shell out Rs 2 crore, he says, "This is the first time in 40 years that I am facing such mud-slinging and am being accused of plagiarism." Buzz is that Roshan is planning to ask Sony Ericsson to pay part of the amount as compensation. This is because the filmmaker had gone ahead with the music only after getting a no-objection letter from them.
Roshan says cautiously, "Though I am thinking about it, I won't be able to comment on this now. It's too early to say anything. I have gone through hell in the last few days with the case and the Krazzy 4 release. I paid the amount immediately as I was morally responsible to my audience, distributors and exhibitors to release the film without cutting the songs." He adds, "We thought we had done it the right way because we had taken the music rights from Sony Ericsson (Sampat's tune featured in the ad starring Hrithik Roshan). They had given us the rights months ago but suddenly backtracked saying that they had no right to give it as the rights were vested with Ram Sampath. Today Ram is talking about morals, why didn't he come to us two months ago when Shahrukh's first promo released on February 24. I'd have settled the matter amicably then."
He adds, "It's an eye-opener for me. I had liked the music piece of the ad. For the purpose of using some portion of the said music, I requested Sony Ericsson and in response, was granted permission by them. Consequently, I was surprised and shocked on March 24 to receive a notice from the solicitors of Ram Sampat containing allegations of infringement of his work. I contacted Sony Ericsson and was told that they issued the letter by mistake and in fact, they didn"t have the rights."
He continues, "I have learnt that I have to clear it from whosoever has the actual rights. I didn"t doubt Sony or think they'd give me a wrong letter and then backtrack on it. According to me I've done it the right way and not plagiarised anything. This is sophisticated extortion."
Roshan says cautiously, "Though I am thinking about it, I won't be able to comment on this now. It's too early to say anything. I have gone through hell in the last few days with the case and the Krazzy 4 release. I paid the amount immediately as I was morally responsible to my audience, distributors and exhibitors to release the film without cutting the songs." He adds, "We thought we had done it the right way because we had taken the music rights from Sony Ericsson (Sampat's tune featured in the ad starring Hrithik Roshan). They had given us the rights months ago but suddenly backtracked saying that they had no right to give it as the rights were vested with Ram Sampath. Today Ram is talking about morals, why didn't he come to us two months ago when Shahrukh's first promo released on February 24. I'd have settled the matter amicably then."
He adds, "It's an eye-opener for me. I had liked the music piece of the ad. For the purpose of using some portion of the said music, I requested Sony Ericsson and in response, was granted permission by them. Consequently, I was surprised and shocked on March 24 to receive a notice from the solicitors of Ram Sampat containing allegations of infringement of his work. I contacted Sony Ericsson and was told that they issued the letter by mistake and in fact, they didn"t have the rights."
He continues, "I have learnt that I have to clear it from whosoever has the actual rights. I didn"t doubt Sony or think they'd give me a wrong letter and then backtrack on it. According to me I've done it the right way and not plagiarised anything. This is sophisticated extortion."
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