Plagiarism case was a money making scheme: Rakesh Roshan

Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, whose film "Krazzy 4" was dragged into court on charges of plagiarism, says that it was a well planned scheme of composer Ram Sampath to make some fast buck.

Sampath, the music director of the Sony Ericsson's 'Thump' ad, moved court against Roshan and his music composer brother Rajesh, saying that the songs of the new film are a direct lift from his ad.

However, Sampath later withdrew the charge and the court case for an out-of-court settlement of Rs.20 million.

"It is interesting to note that the 'Krazzy 4' music was launched in February 2008 and the promos containing the alleged infringed work was released on TV on all channels in the end of February 2008. All these days Ram Sampat chose to wait and instituted the suit in the high court just a few days before the release of the film," wrote Roshan in a statement released to clarify his position.

"This was a well planned scheme for making money. Having all the proof in my hand to defend, I was helpless for want of time."

"I was required to be in the court when the prints of the film had already been delivered all over the world. Finding myself caught in a helpless situation and to keep up my commitment with distributors and to respect feelings of the audience, I had no way but to succumb to the pressure and to compromise on the matter, thereby seeing that the film is released on the announced date," the director said.

Roshan maintained: "I had liked the music piece of the ad which I saw on TV in which Hrithik Roshan is performing as a brand ambassador for Sony Ericsson. For the purpose of using some portion of the said music in my film, I requested Sony Ericsson. I was granted consent and permission by Sony Ericsson through a letter dated 13th December, 2007.

"Consequently, in good faith and relying on the authorisation of Sony Ericsson, I recorded the song with the required modification, retaining only four bars of the 'Thump' track. I was surprised and shocked on March 24, 2008 to receive a notice from the solicitors of Ram Sampat containing allegations of infringement of his work."

"I contacted Sony Ericsson and was told that they issued the letter by mistake and, in fact, they didn't have the rights for the same. Before I could think of any solution, Sampat filed a suit in the Bombay High Court framing all wild and frivolous allegations of infringing his copyright of said music piece of Thump," Roshan said.

He said that instead of approaching the cour,t Sampat should have contacted him first.

"It was really a shocking development because instead of approaching me to know the facts he straight away went to court. It was evident, after going through the case filed, that he was preparing the suit for a long time."

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