Music ‘kings’ in court

TWO top PNG musicians, Leonard Kania and Patti Pots Doi, were taken to court yesterday by Chin Hoi Meen & Sons Limited (CHM) for alleged breach of recording contract.
CHM filed a writ of summons on Aug 20 against the duo for damages caused as a result of their alleged breach of contract.
Mr Kania is known as the King of Tolai Rock, while Mr Doi is the King of Pacific Music.
Counsel assisting CHM, Irene Mugugia, submitted that the first defendant, Mr Kania, signed a music recording agreement with the plaintiff, CHM, on June 6, 2006, for Mr Kania to record five albums with CHM.
She said that in July this year, Mr Kania breached the contract when he engaged the second defendant, Mr Doi, to record his music under Mr Doi’s Quakes Productions studio without prior written consent of the plaintiff.
“Mr Kania had signed a contract with the CHM studio and there was no proper arrangement done with the studio allowing him to move,” Mrs Mugugia said.
Therefore, she submitted that the first and second defendants be restrained from recording, producing and selling any of their recorded albums pending the final determination of the matter.
She also sought general damages as a result of the breach of contract.
However, council for the plaintiffs, Tony Waisi, argued that his client did sign a recording
agreement on June 6, 2006, with CHM Pacific Gold Limit and not the plaintiff, Chin Hoi Meen and Sons Limited.
Mr Waisi argued that the plaintiff had no legal basis to pursue the matter as his client signed the agreement with a different company and not the plaintiff.
He also argued that his client had recorded about 10 albums while under the agreement with CHM Pacific Gold Ltd and had nothing to do with the plaintiff.
Mr Waisi further argued that his client denied any outcome of damages caused as a result of his pulling out as he did not engage into any agreement with the plaintiff.
Presiding judge, Justice Ambeng Kandakasi, ordered the matter to return on next Tuesday for a ruling .