Young singer fined for performing Yulduz Usmonova’s song without permission

Guljahon Kholkhodjayeva, a winner of the Nihol Prize, has been held administratively liable for performing a song without obtaining the author's permission. This was reported by the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan.

According to the Ministry, the case was initiated following a complaint by the Public Association for the Protection of Copyright and Related Rights. The association requested legal action against the unauthorized performance of the poem "Senmiding", written by poet Abdusaid Abdusalomov, known by his pen name "Salomiy".

An investigation revealed that the song, previously performed by People’s Artist of Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan Yulduz Usmonova, had been used by singer Guljahon Kholkhodjayeva without permission from the author. As a result, administrative offense reports were prepared and submitted to the relevant court.

The Mirzo Ulugbek District Court for Criminal Cases found the singer guilty under Part 1 of Article 177 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility (violation of copyright and related rights) and imposed a fine.

According to Uzbek legislation, authors are entitled to claim compensation ranging from 20 to 1,000 times the base calculation amount in lieu of direct damages.

It should be noted that similar cases have occurred in the past. Singer Botir Kadyrov was previously fined for the unauthorized use of a poem by poet Shamsiddin Turayev, known by the pseudonym "Shamsiddin Sadoiy". The court ordered him to pay 112.5 million soums in damages and an additional 20 million soums in moral compensation. Likewise, singer Jaloliddin Akhmadaliyev has also been fined for copyright infringement.