All news

Bulgarian-born Russian singer sued over copyright violations

Philipp Kirkorov, a Bulgarian-born Russian singer and producer, was sued by a group of Bulgaria’s composers over breaking the intellectual property right

SOFIA, February 22 (Itar-Tass) — Philipp Kirkorov, a Bulgarian-born Russian singer and producer, was sued by a group of Bulgaria’s composers over breaking the intellectual property right.

The four composers - Alexander Saveliev, Dimitar Penev, Ivan Peev, and Nayden Andreev - claim copyright damages from Kirkorov, who did not pay royalties for their songs.

“The singer has been signing these songs during his tours and distributing audio albums for many years without the authors’ permission,” said Chavdar Gagov, a spokesman for the no-governmental organization European Society for Human Rights Protection – Bulgaria that will represent composers in courts.

Under Bulgaria’s laws persons violating intellectual property rights may face from three to eight years in prison.

The Sofia city prosecutor’s office started investigating the case.

“We do not want to imprison Kirkorov, we want to come to an agreement that would meet the two parties’ interests. In any case we need to sit at the negotiating table,” Gagov said.

The prosecutor’s office will soon notify the 44 year old singer of copyright violations.