It was reported somewhere last year that a man by name Obuobi Jeremiah has taken Sarkodie to court over his Sark collection. The two were in court not long and Sarkodie’s lawyers filled for defense in curt. Now the two, Sarkodie and Obobi are ready to face the court for the issue to be treated as it is.
Flex newspaper, broke a story headlined, ‘Sarkodie sued GHC 90,000 over Sark Logo in our last year Wednesday 20th November publication.
In the said publication, one Obuobi Jeremiah (aka OB J) alleged that he is the one who initiated the idea of starting a clothing line with musician Sarkodie and had several meetings with the latter and his management to that effect.
Obuobi alleged that he provided the design, style, logo, art work and also suggested the name Sark to Sarkodie and his management team.
Oboubi alleged that he went ahead to produce samples of Sark T-shirts and even provided freebies (T-shirts) to fans of Sarkodie during the latter’s Rapperholic concert at the Dome of the conference centre.
Before he could finalize memorandum of understanding with Sarkodie and his team, he read in the media that Sarkodie has launched a clothing line called Sark Collections. Riled Obuobi sought legal action by serving Sarkodie and his team a summon letter through his solicitors and legal advisers – Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co Chambers represented by Barrister Kwabena Boye Adjekumhehe.
The case was opened for first hearing but we gathered the Defense Council (Sarkodie and his lawyers) did not show up in court. The case was therefore adjourned to 9th January, 2014. On Thursday 9th January, 2014, the case was opened again. Council for Sarkodie, Moses Foh-Amoaning, pleaded with the court to allow them prepare and file for proper defense which the court granted. The case was heard in Commercial Court E, started at 9:00am and ended sitting on the case at 9:20am.
Following up on the story, Flex newspaper gathered that Sarkodie’s Council has officially filled for defense. In an interview with Obuobi Jeremiah, he confirmed, “yes, lawyers of Sarkodie have finally filled for defense in court.
They are ready to fight and we are also ready for them.” In commercial cases (like OBJ and Sarkodie’s), the case is first tested in a Pre-Trial, meaning, the Plaintiff (Obuobi Jeremiah) and the Defendant (Sarkodie) sit with a court arbiter to solve the case amicably.
If both parties agree to deal with the case out of court based on whatever understanding they reach, the case dies off there; else, they resort to the court for judicial judgment.
Since lawyers of Sarkodie have finally filled for defense, what it means is that there shall be no Pre-Trial. The two parties are now going to test the case in a civil court where Ghana’s copyright laws shall be properly opened and dissected.
The legal team of Obuobi is demanding a whopping GHC 90,000, proper rendering of accounts of all shoes, clothing and accessories of which Obuobi created but were allegedly sold by Sarkodie and his management team at he, Obuobi’s expense.
Flex newspaper prayed and wished both parties reached an amicable solution but since Sarkodie’s council have filled for defense, we guess our showbiz industry might be getting a case study for reference as far as copyright or Intellectual Property infringement is concerned. Flex newspaper promises to follow up on this story for publication as and when due.
