Nirmala Maghani’s representatives send legal notice worth Rs 100 million to Xulfi

Coke Studio producer’s company to respond through 'correct channels'

KARACHI:

Nirmala Maghani’s legal representatives on Monday sent a legal notice worth Rs 100 million to Xulfi pursuing a case of copyright violation in connection to the Coke Studio 14 song Tu Jhoom. The notice, addressed to Coke Studio 14 producer Xulfi, claims, “My client (Nirmala Maghani) on June 14, 2021, sent her compositions including the composition of Tu Mera Ranjha to you on your mobile, through WhatsApp messenger which all were in the form of voice notes.”

The notice further said that thereafter no further communication was made by Xulfi, however, on January 14, 2022, when Coke Studio song Tu Jhoom was released the client was surprised to see the song was “made by copying notes and music composition” of Tu Mera Ranjha.

“That as per the copyright laws you don’t have the right to telecast/broadcast or upload on YouTube the said song unless you have obtained permission from my client as it’s made based on notes and composition of my client. That you are hereby instructed that you should apply [for] and obtain permission or license from my client and unless said is granted to you please remove the song from every social media website, YouTube and from [the] album of Coke Studio 14 as it is infringing upon the rights of my client.”

The notice further asks Xulfi to cease and desist from using the composition of the “client” in Tu Jhoom and give an undertaking in writing, not complying with which within seven days will give the client the right to take further action under any and all jurisdictions.

In response to the notice issued to Xulfi, GIRAFFE PAKISTAN, the company co-founded by Xulfi, that is also overseeing Coke Studio 14, shared a statement with The Express Tribune. “We have received a notice last evening and our legal team will respond to it through the correct channels in due course. As such, we are constrained to limit our responses in deference to the legal process initiated by Ms Maghani,” said the statement

“As shared with your publication earlier, Xulfi and the team at Giraffe produces and collaborates in the spirit of inclusivity and the work with Coke Studio holds the same philosophy. Xulfi’s work is not borrowed or without credit, given that what he shares with the world is work that relies on the very essence of partnership and collaboration. And indeed, the Giraffe team looks forward to continue working with our artists from all over the country, for they truly are the present and future of Pakistani music," the statement concluded.

Xulfi has also already denied all claims of stealing in two different statements issued by Coke Studio to The Express Tribune. The second statement also accompanied ‘video evidence’ of a chat between Xulfi and Associate Producer Abdullah Siddiqui, suggesting they had been working on Tu Jhoom melody in May, a month before Nirmala had claimed to have sent the melody to Xulfi and shared the screen video of the same. It is pertinent to mention that The Express Tribune has not been able to verify the accuracy of the screen recordings shared by both Maghani and Coke Studio.

Interestingly, now the case hinges on people who claimed to have received Nirmala's music even before the time stamp shared in Coke Studio's 'video evidence' and that includes senior names such as Beena Raza and Salman Ahmed. More importantly, Salman Ahmed, who had introduced Nirmala to Xulfi well before the summer of 2021.