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Durban - A Durban rapper has fired a shot across the bow at music group Mi Casa, accusing them of copyright infringement.
Navendran “Novi” Naidoo, through his legal team, has demanded that Mi Casa cease from "playing, publishing, performing, airing or selling copies of the single Chocolat".
In a letter sent to the band last week, Naidoo said that should they refuse, he would approach the High Court.
He claims the band’s song bears striking similarities to his single Chocolate which features Sharks rugby player S’bura Sithole.
The letter, seen by Channel24, confirms that his attorneys had written to Mi Casa.
"Our instructions are that during or about September 2014 our client had written a song called ‘Chocolate’, which was recorded during or about 1st week of October 2014. The song was released distributed and plugged via Mesh, which was the marketing division of Soul Candi, a Record Company.
"The song was released on all digital platforms on or about 25 March 2015. A remix of the song was completed in May 2015 and released during or about 26th June 2015 by Mesh.
"Our further instructions are that after the release of our client’s remix of Chocolate you had also released a song called Chocolat which is similar to our client’s song, inter alia, in the lyrics and in the spirit of the song," the letter reads.
"It is clear from a comparison of both the songs that you have infringed upon our clients copyright to his song.
"Duly instructed, we hereby demand that you immediately refrain from playing, publishing, performing, airing or selling copies of your single Chocolat or any album which features the said song, failing which we shall approach the High Court preventing you from playing, publishing, performing, airing or selling, copies of the said song and seek an Order for costs against you.
"Our client reserves its rights to proceed against yourselves for damages that he has suffered," they wrote.
UPDATE: Mi Casa baffled by Durban rapper’s copyright claims
Here are the two songs. Listen and decide for yourself:
Novi's song:
Mi Casa's song:
