Lutaaya warns new band on Eagles' Production music

Mar 24, 2014

One of the founding members of the band and Eagles' production Managing Director Geoffrey Lutaaya has warned the breakaway faction not to perform any songs that were composed under the band because they are copyrighted to it.

By Anthony Ssempereza and Martin Ndijjo

The ongoing drama in the famous Eagles' Production band takes a new twist every other day.

One of the founding members of the band and Eagles' production Managing Director Geoffrey Lutaaya has warned the breakaway faction not to perform any songs that were composed under the band because they are copyrighted to it.

The breakaway faction of Eagles' production includes Ronald Mayinja, Mesach Ssemakula, Fred Sserugga, Catherine Kusaasira, Maureen Nantume, Doreen Mutiibwa, Stecia Mayanja and Grace Ssekamatte.

The group parted ways with Lutaaya and his wife Irene Namatovu, also a band member, when they chose to rebrand.

Lutaaya says though individual members composed the songs they were under Eagles' Production to which they are copyrighted.

"The songs belong to Eagles' Production band; shows were announced always announced in Eagles' production's name and not individual artistes," Lutaaya says.

He says the copy write was put into the laws governing the band and the members who leave cannot perform these songs under a different band.

The judiciary spokesperson, Erias Kisawuzi, when contacted for comment said if indeed the copyright law was drafted into the constitution that governs Eagles' Production then they cannot use the songs elsewhere.

Effectively this means fans will not be seeing these members perform Eagles' Production songs elsewhere.

However, responding to Lutaaya, Musa Kavuma, new managing director of the breakaway faction, now called Golden Band after they sorted the chaos with their new name, said Lutaaya cannot have a say on individual members' songs.

Grace Ssekamette, a member of the new band says even when Haruna Kitooke left Eagles' Production in 2010 he still performs songs he composed under the band, and so does Sofia Nantongo.

In another twist, the war over the impending legal suit by promoter Balaam Barugahare has gone a notch higher, with Golden Band members engaging lawyers as well.

Balaam is demanding sh320m in compensation for shows slated for the Easter weekend in April which appear to be in jeopardy following the split. Balaam insists all members of Eagles' Production are bound by the sh100m deal Lutaaya signed on their behalf.

Through their lawyers, Munanura- Mugabi & Co. Advocates, Golden Band members have responded to Balaam asking he to produce documents showing that they penned a deal binding them to perform at the shows he bought out over the coming Easter period.

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