It looks like as much as some people may want to paint Sauti Sol in a bad light over them having an issue with Azimio one Kenya coalition, they might actually have a case.
Yesterday evening, the boy band expressed their disappointment in the Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja coalition.
This was after they used their popular 'Extravaganza' song without their consent when they were unveiling Martha Karua as Raila Odinga's running mate.
"This is blatant copyright infringement as directed by section 35, CAP 170 of the Copyright Act of Kenya," read Sauti sol's statement as they threatened to take legal action.
This morning, ODM which is a member of the Azimio coalition released a statement explaining that they played Sauti Sol's song during the occasion since they appreciate their work.
ODM stated that they love the celebrated boy band and that they were showing how much they appreciate them.
"We would like to assure our celebrated musical team @sautisol that we love them and appreciate their music so much.
The group has carried our country’s flag so high in international fora & every Kenyan appreciates this. Playing their song yesterday was a show of love for their work."
However, that did little to calm Sauti Sol's fans who called on the party to always follow due diligence.
This has forced the Kenya Copyright Board to intervene in the matter which has since elicited a heated debate on social media.
In a statement shared on their Twitter feed, the copyright board acknowledged that indeed Azimio had obtained a public performance license thus allowing it to play both local and international music at its rallies and events.
"However, the use of sound recording as a soundtrack with visual images in a film, video, television show, commercial or other audio-visual production is NOT part of those uses authorised by a Public Performance License," read the board's statement.
On the argument of whether exploitation of sound recordings falls within the power of the CMO (Collective Management Organizations,) the board clarified, "Separate sets of rights in a sound recording are managed concurrently by the composer, publisher and collective Management Organizations where they are operational, " read the board's statement."
This means that clearly Azimio infringed Sauti Sol's copyrights and thus violating Kenya Copyright law.
With Azimio's back now against the wall, the only way they can save themselves from Sauti Sol's wrath is by reaching out to them and settle the matter amicably, with or without compensation.
Check out the Kenya Copyright Board's statement below;
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