Telcos face copyright theft allegation

Singer Asif Akbar has threatened legal action against the cellular-phone operators including Banglalink and Grameenphone (GP) for their unauthorised use of his songs for customers.
The 42-year old pop-star Asif has issued the threat on his Facebook account and warned of legal action, saying that he is planning to go for legal action under the intellectual property right act against the mobile phone companies.
 "Get ready Banglalink yourself to do new things, waiting to see you at the court soon," the singer wrote, referring to the country's second-largest operator by the number of subscribers.
About Banglalink, the major concern of Amsterdam-based Vimpelcom Limited, Asif alleged that the company has bagged hundreds of crores taka through moveZone, depriving the artistes of their due payment.
"The mobile operator has utilised a total of 766 songs of mine alone," the singer alleged adding that the operator is also misleading the young group by unusual offerings.
Prior to his retirement from the professional singing in 2010, the rock-star Asif composed 2,000 songs, which include 120 solo and duet albums, and move songs. Asif got the popularity through his debut album 'O Priya Tumi Kothay'.
In a separate post, Asif hit out at the country's top mobile-phone operator Grameenphone, alleging that the operator also bagged hundreds of crores of taka, depriving the artistes.
"Prior to signing the deal with ARB Entertainment, the company owned by Asif, has bagged the money," Asif said. The operator made the deal misguiding the singer and his partner company.
When contacted, GP's spokesman Syed Talat Kamal said they weren't aware of the issue. "However, the allegations against the company seems to be baseless and irrational," Mr Kamal said.
Barrister Aneek R Haque, former legal consultant of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) told the FE that the artistes could lodge suit under the copyright act.
"If the allegations are proved, the operators would be obliged to compensate along with fines and imprisonment," Mr Haque said adding that under the act, the operators might face a maximum of two years' jail term.
Banglalink spokesperson could not be reached for comments.
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