Pakistan Idol: British firm issues notice to Geo TV

Saray Gama says both Fremantle and Geo have not acquired licence to air songs and performances of copyright content.


Our Correspondent December 12, 2013
Geo TV logo.

KARACHI:


A British production house Saray Gama declaring the two episodes of Pakistan Idol aired on Geo TV network illegal has warned Fremantle Media and Geo TV of legal proceedings against copyright violations.


Fremantle Media is a British company that owns the “Idol” show and has given licence to Geo to run Pakistan Idol.

Saray Gama in its notice said that both Fremantle and Geo have not acquired the licence to air songs and performances of its copyright content.

Furthermore, Geo TV on December 6 and 8 released songs presented in Pakistan Idol on its website without any licence.

Songs owned by Saray Gama were used on the websites of Clear Shampoo, Q Mobile, Pepsi and Mobilink for which they had no legal rights.

The notice sent to Fremantle Media has asked Geo TV to acquire synchronisation and performance rights within 48 hours of the receipt of the notice otherwise strict legal action will be taken.

The notice said that Saray Gama’s authorised representative in Pakistan is Digital Entertainment World who can be approached for requisite licence. So far Geo Network or Fremantle Media has not approached the authorised representative for licence.

The notice gave a list of songs of which Saray Gama holds exclusive rights, but they were played on Pakistan Idol show in clear violation of anti-piracy laws.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2013.

COMMENTS (13)

Qasim Ali | 11 years ago | Reply

The bulk of comments showing a complete disregard to copyrights is both pathetic and a true example of unethical, and not in any way thoughtful behaviour. Here's an example; Pakistani producers and Directors have started a campaign to get our industry back on track, if you have no regard or value of copyright content and start downloading songs, and movies illegally, then how are they going to recover their costs? How will they produce the quality you people expect? The problem with the Pakistani Nation is we think about ourselves only, and we can do anything for selfishness, and we don't even think about the future consequences of our actions today. Thats exactly what we did to CNG as well... How can we blame the politicians when a vast proportion of our nation is a part of this horrid mentality. Comments like above give the whole nation a bad name as this website is seen worldwide. Nothing but shameful.

Ahmed Raza | 11 years ago | Reply

Oh plz Pakistan Idol.....it could have been better. Horrible selection of Judges, particularly Kiyani and Bushra Ansari. Hugely overrated...no comparison with Indian Idol.

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