Why are 30 Malaysian artistes suing Prism over royalty payments?

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Thirty Malaysian Artistes Sue Prism Over Unpaid Royalties

Thirty Malaysian artistes have been granted permission by the High Court to initiate legal action against the Performers Rights and Interest Society of Malaysia Berhad (Prism). The lawsuit seeks the recovery of royalty payments that the artistes claim have not been distributed to them since 2017. This legal challenge stems from allegations that Prism, a designated licensing body responsible for collecting and distributing music royalties, failed in its fiduciary duties to its members.
Allegations of Negligence in Royalty Distribution

The core of the artistes' claim is that Prism has been negligent in its role as a trustee. They allege that between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021, Prism failed to adequately collect and subsequently distribute the music royalties owed to them. This period covers several years where the artistes believe their work was used, and royalties generated, but the funds were not remitted as per the society's mandate.
Seeking Declaration and Payment for Unpaid Royalties

The artistes are specifically requesting a judicial declaration that Prism acted negligently in its duties. Furthermore, they are seeking a court order compelling Prism to pay all royalties collected during the specified five-year period, from 2017 to 2021. This seeks to ensure that the performers receive the financial compensation they are legally entitled to for the use of their music.
Prominent Artistes Among the Applicants

The group of 30 artistes includes several well-known figures in the Malaysian music industry. Among them are Datuk Jamal Ubaidillah Ali, popularly known as Jamal Abdillah; Datuk Irwan Shah Abdullah, also known as DJ Dave; Datuk Shamsuddin Jaafar, or J Sham; Azharina Azhar; and Haris Fadzilah Daud, stage name Aris Ariwatan. The involvement of these prominent individuals underscores the significance of the case for the broader artistic community.
Legal Action Sets a Precedent for Other Artistes

The High Court's decision to grant permission for this lawsuit is being viewed as a significant development that could establish a new benchmark for other artistes in Malaysia. The legal representatives for the artistes stated their intention to proceed with the full legal action promptly to ascertain the exact mechanisms of royalty calculation and distribution. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the transparency and efficiency of royalty collection and disbursement within the industry.

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Why are 30 Malaysian artistes suing Prism over royalty payments?

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