Singer Farhad Humayun Gets Stay Against Coca-Cola

WEB DESK: Pakistani singer-producer Farhad Humayun has granted a stay against Coca Cola over use of his version of ‘Neray Aah’ song in a television commercial (TVC).

Lahore Intellectual Property Rights Tribunal pronounced the verdict in light of infringement of copyright laws.

The respondents have been barred from ‘using, exhibiting, displaying’ Neray Aah song, composed by Singer Farhad Humayun, on any print, digital or social platform.

“The blatant infringement of Humayun’s content by Coca Cola is a great disappointment as the corporation professes to champion the efforts of the local music industry but has acted otherwise”, the order said.

Humayun’s Version

Coca Cola has removed the advertisement from Youtube and other platforms following tribunal orders.

This isn’t the first time carbonated drink manufacturers face infringement of copyright charges.

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Farhad Humayun, who started his career with Pakistan’s leading band Overload, has accused Coke Studios of using a remix of the 2011 song “Neray Aah” without his permission.

According to News 360 correspondent Umair Alvi, the song “Neray Aah” was filmed in the 1998 film Bangles.

After which in 2011 Farhad Humayun made a remix of it with the regular permission of Saeed Noor. Coca-Cola released its commercial, which featured the lyrics and music of the song “Neray Aah” sung by Mesha Shafi.

This is considered to be the teaser of the commercial Cook Studio Season 13 which has been well received by the fans.

As Coca-Cola included the song in its teaser without seeking official permission, Farhad Humayun decided to take legal action and sent a notice to the company.

Singer Farhad Humayun posted a message on his Instagram in which he said that the remix version of “Neray Aah” used by Coca-Cola in his commercial “Coke and Music” belongs to him.

It should be noted that Farhad Humayun is not the first singer who has decided to take action against Cook Studios.

In 2008, Coca-Cola used the song of renowned singer and social activist Shehzad Roy in one of its TVCs.

Shehzad Roy also sent a legal notice to the company for using the song without permission.

Shuja Haider is also one of the singers whose music or songs have been used without permission.