SOFIA, February 22 (Itar-Tass) — Bulgarian-born Russian singer and producer Philipp Kirkorov denied copyright infringement claims filed by the Bulgarian composers, his spokeswoman Olga Alexeyeva told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.
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 non-governmental organization European Society for Human Rights Protection – Bulgaria that will represent composers’ rights in courts.
“I do not even personally know these authors,” Kirkorov said.
The singer’s spokeswoman explained that Kirkorov had not performed the composers’ songs at his concert tours for over 20 years.
“In line with the effective laws the royalties from recordings on CDs should be paid by a company that produces them. In this case this is Melodiya record company. Philipp Kirkorov has no relation to this situation,” Alexeyeva said.
“Philipp has never had problems with his songs’ authors, among whom are famous composers and poets,” she said expressing bewilderment why this issue emerged only now.
“Maybe, this is linked with Kirkorov’s concert tour to Bulgaria and Europe that will begin in summer,” the spokeswoman said.
Under Bulgaria’s laws persons violating intellectual property rights may face from three to eight years in prison.
Sofia city prosecutor’s office is investigating the case.