Breaching copyright law by Banglalink: Hearing on charge framing May 26

A Dhaka court on Monday scheduled May 26 for hearing on charge framing in two cases lodged by country’s rock icon James and band Miles against private mobile service operator Banglalink for breaching the copyright law.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court Judge KM Imrul Kayes passed the order following the  defendant’s lawyer’s petition to defer the hearing.

The accused in the cases are: Erik Aas, chief executive officer of Banglalink Digital Communication Ltd, Nurul Alam, chief digital officer, Sanjay Vaghasia, chief compliance officer, Taimur Rahman, chief corporate regulatory affairs officer, and Anik dhar, head of VAS.

Earlier on November 10, last year, Faruq Mahfuz Anam alias James appeared before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate KM Emrul Kayesh and lodged the complaint against Banglalink under section 71/82/91 over copyright issue.

Besides, Hamin Ahmed and Manam Ahmed of Miles band lodged another complaint with the same court against Banglalink over the copyright issue.

After the recording of James’ statement, the magistrate asked five officials of Banglalink to appear before his court on November 30 and explain their role.

Mizanur Rahman Mamun, lawyer of James and Miles band, said Banglalink has been using six songs of James along with “Nila Tumi”,”Firiye Dao” by Miles as welcome tune, ringtone, caller tune and in advertisement for the last 14 years without their permission, violating the copyright law.

The operator was asked verbally first and later was sent legal notice to remove those songs.

They were also sent notice through three ministries but as they did not remove them the plaintiffs appeared before court for justice failing to lodge a complaint with police, said Mizanur Rahman Mamun.