WEB DESK: Pakistan Idol has come under new controversy and criticism as veteran semi classical singer Sajjad Ali refused to give copyrights of his songs to the show.
In a press conference, the semi-classical singer Sajjad Ali r revealed that Pakistan Idol contestants cannot sing his songs because the show’s management has not acquired the rights to the songs from them.
Sajjad Ali blamed the show’s management for the issue, which has not acquired the rights to his and other well-known singers’ songs. He said that “every contestant wants to sing our songs” and if someone sings their songs, “they will get a huge response, maybe even win the competition.”
The dispute is related to copyright, the legal right that gives an artist full ownership over their work. Under Pakistan’s Copyright Ordinance 1962, it is illegal to use, offer or copy a work of art without permission.
Sajjad Ali said that the Pakistan Idol team had tried to obtain a license from him but could not agree on financial terms.
He said that most of the songs on the show were acquired through EMI Records, which holds the rights to songs by renowned artists such as Noor Jehan, Mehdi Hassan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Strings and Vital Signs.
Earlier, singer Humaira Arshad had also questioned the show’s judges, saying that more experienced musicians could have been included in place of Fawad Khan, the lead singer of the popular 2000s band Entity Paradigm.
On the other hand, singer-songwriter Falak Shabbir has taken a completely different stance amid Sajjad Ali’s copyright dispute. He announced that all Pakistan Idol contestants can sing his songs freely. According to Falak, the move is to encourage emerging artists.
“I allow Pakistan Idol to use all my songs so that new singers can shine and make Pakistan’s name shine globally,” he wrote on Instagram.
Falak’s move drew mixed reactions on social media. Many users praised his spirit, while some called Sajjad Ali’s stance unnecessary. “This is a very strange act,” wrote one user. “We respect you a lot, but this statement is unnecessary.”
However, the question is, is this a marketing strategy or is it really a sincere support for new singers?
