The gospel and evangelical music scene has seen its share of legal controversies in 2024, highlighting ongoing copyright and royalty challenges in the industry. Here is a summary of the most notable cases of the year.
Nigerian gospel singer Sinach, real name Osinachi Egbu, has found herself at the center of an intense legal battle. Producer Michael Oluwole, known as Maye, has filed a lawsuit against the artiste, claiming co-ownership of his global hit “Way Maker”.
Oluwole is asking for a staggering sum of 5 billion Naira (approximately $5.9 million) for his contribution to the mixing, mastering and instrumental arrangements of the track. This case highlights the crucial importance of written agreements in the music industry, particularly in Africa where informal practices remain common.
In the United States, a dispute of a completely different nature has shaken the Christian radio landscape. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) have filed a lawsuit against the Copyright Royalty Board, denouncing blatant discrimination against non-commercial religious stations.
The latter are forced to pay royalties 18 times higher than their secular counterparts on the NPR network. This case highlights ongoing tensions between the religious and secular sectors in the area of music rights.
In Ghana, rumors of plagiarism have been circulating around worship group Defe Team. An anonymous producer accuses them of stealing the lyrics of a gospel hymn. Although the details remain unclear, this case serves as a reminder that intellectual property issues affect the entire African continent.
These disputes reflect recurring issues in the gospel music industry:
Lack of written contracts, particularly in Africa
Inequalities in financial treatment between different types of actors
The growing impact of digitalization on copyright management
Looking ahead, it is crucial that artists, producers and presenters in the gospel sector realize the importance of rigorous copyright management. The establishment of clear contracts and the use of collecting societies such as CCLI, PRS or BMI could help prevent many conflicts.
In conclusion, the year 2024 has highlighted the need for greater transparency and better regulation in the gospel music industry. These legal cases will undoubtedly serve as a lesson for the entire sector, encouraging increased professionalization of practices.
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Sources:
BBC Pidgin
Punch Newspapers
HFPMusicCity
ADF Legal
Christianity Today
Music Copyright Infringement Resource (GWU)
Copyright Alliance
US Copyright Office
