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King James Phiri, Chinga family in copyright row over footage

Gospel artist King James Phiri has complained to the Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) over alleged use of his live performance footage in Miracle Chinga’s recently launched Ndzaulula DVD.

Miracle, daughter to the fallen gospel music diva Grace Chinga, released the DVD two weeks ago in Blantyre. The DVD has Grace’s Ndzaulula as a cover song.

Phiri: Cosoma must intervene

The 10-track-DVD has incorporated some songs from Grace’s previous Udzaimba Nyimbo DVD as well as those shot live during her post-humous Esther album launch shows.

On Monday, Phiri said he was dismayed the DVD includes footage of his performances at the Esther launch shows in September where he was one of the supporting acts.

Miracle performing at one of the launches

“I am seeking Cosoma to intervene after observing that the Chinga family was playing hide and seek games on our prior agreement,” said Phiri.

The two parties previously agreed to pay Phiri K100 000 for the 200 copies sold at Ndzaulula launch show in Blantyre two weeks ago. They also agreed that the Chinga family would rework the DVD and remove Phiri’s footage for the other 200 copies sold at the launch in Mzuzu last weekend.

“They assured to pay me K100 000 for the footage by today [Monday]. But after calling the children’s uncle [Davie Chinga], he said I should contact Miracle’s brother Steve Spesho who referred me back to their uncle,” he said.

Phiri said since the family has not shown interest for discussion he decided to involve Cosoma to intervene on the matter ‘using their laws’.

Davie admitted in an interview that the DVD had Phiri’s footage which he said was incorporated by mistake. However, he said the two parties have discussed the issue such that Phiri had rescinded his decision to sue the Chinga family.

“We have discussed to give him a percentage of the 200 copies we sold during a show in Blantyre,” said Davie.

He said the family has reworked on the DVD to remove Phiri’s footage for the other 200 copies sold in Mzuzu.

Cosoma senior licence officer Rosario Kamanga on Monday said he was  not in the office and yesterday, his phone went unanswered.

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