Kenyan artist Nonini has taken legal action against a Japanese company, Synix, for
copyright infringement. In a court speech yesterday, Nonini spoke about the struggles
that Kenyan artists face when it comes to protecting their work and earning royalties.
“Your honor, we are really suffering. We barely make any income from royalties due to
corruption by the bodies charged with collecting our royalties,” Nonini said. “We spend
a lot of time and money to produce music. Your honor a single song just one to produce
the audio and music video costs to the tune of 1 million Kshs, so for someone to infringe
on that copyright of your work really really hurts while they are trying to push a product
for their own monetary gain.”
According to Nonini, Synix was aware that they were infringing on his copyright, but
refused to admit liability or enter into negotiations for a synchronization license. Nonini
hopes that this case will serve as an example to other companies and influencers who
use the music of Kenyan artists without permission.
“They depend on the fact that they are giants with monetary muscle and artists have no
money to come to court to fight for their rights,” Nonini said. “I would like this court to
make an example of the company Synix and the influencer so that this trend of
cooperates using Kenyan artists music without permission ends.”
Nonini closed his speech by thanking the court for giving him the opportunity to speak
and expressing his gratitude.
