Botir Qodirov held accountable for copyright infringement  

Tashkent, April 2 – Singer Botir Qodirov has been brought to justice for using poet Shamsiddin Turaev’s works in his songs without proper authorization or royalty payments. The Intellectual Property Department of the Ministry of Justice reported the case.  

Following a complaint from Shamsiddin Turaev, known under the pseudonym "Shamsiddin Sadoiy," the Ministry of Justice determined that Qodirov had used the poems "Davlating Borida", "Omonat", and "Tingla Dutorim" without obtaining permission from the copyright holder.  

As a result, an administrative offense report was filed under Article 177¹ of the Code of Administrative Offenses (Violation of Copyright and Related Rights) and forwarded to the relevant court.  

The Chilonzor District Court of Tashkent found Qodirov guilty and fined him 1 million 875 thousand soums, equivalent to five times the basic calculation amount, in accordance with the first part of Article 177¹ of the Administrative Code.  

Under Article 65 of Uzbekistan’s Law "On Copyright and Related Rights", authors or copyright holders have the right to claim compensation ranging from twenty to one thousand times the basic calculation amount instead of direct damage compensation.  

Previously, Honored Artist of Uzbekistan Avazbek Olimov was fined 170 million soums for a similar violation. Olimov had altered and performed the poem "Guzal Yorim" under the title "Sevar Yorim" for years without the poet's consent. Poetess Mahliyo Ahrorova subsequently filed a lawsuit, seeking 200 million soums in moral damages and 340 million soums for copyright infringement.