Gospel Group Alabaster Box Sues Medikal Over Alleged Copyright Breach
Due to alleged copyright infringement, Ghanaian rapper Samuel Adu Frimpong, better known by his stage name Medikal, is the target of a GHC15 million lawsuit from the gospel music group Alabaster Box.
Alabaster Box alleges in a court-issued writ of summons that Medikal’s new song, Welcome to Africa, directly samples their 2002 hit song, Akwaaba, in the first ten seconds without their permission.
The group is requesting a complete accounting of the money made from the song, injunctions, and damages, among other reliefs.
The lawsuit claims that the song is still being marketed and disseminated on popular streaming services like Apple Music, Boomplay, Spotify, Audiomack, and radio airplay, even after Medikal was previously served with a demand letter.
The group describes this as a “continuing infringement.”
Alabaster Box is seeking the following reliefs:
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A declaration that Welcome to Africa is a derivative work of Akwaaba.
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A declaration that the use of their copyrighted work without permission constitutes infringement.
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A perpetual injunction restraining Medikal from further promoting or distributing the song.
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Termination of all related commercial agreements linked to the track.
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An account of all revenues earned from the alleged infringing work.
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Removal of the song from all media platforms.
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General damages of GHC10 million and exemplary damages of GHC5 million for alleged brand damage and vulgar association.
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Costs and legal fees.
The court has given Medikal eight days to enter an appearance or risk judgment being passed in his absence.
