Nancy Ajram with $200K Lawsuit over Farid al-Atrash's "Ana We Enta Wala Haad Taletna"

The family of the late music icon Farid Al-Atrash accused Lebanese recording artist Nancy Ajram of rights infringement.

In a statement on Sunday, Faisal Farid Al-Atrash, the musician's sole heir, believes that Ajram's use of the song "Ana We Enta Wala Haad Taletna" in her latest TV commercial is a violation of intellectual property rights.

He added that the song was used without official approval from the Al-Atrash family, the Egyptian Society of Authors and Composers (SASERO), or the Civil Company for Authors, Composers, and Music Publishers (SASEM), which owns the financial rights to the performing arts venues, mechanical printing, and republishing.

Lawyer Hossam Lotfy, on behalf of Faisal Al-Atrash, began to take legal proceedings and requested financial compensation of EGP10 million (approximately $200 thousand) from the TV commercials' producer.

He stressed that the late musician's name should not be used in commercials for any product without official approval.

However, sources close to Ajram affirmed she did not get involved in the TV commercial until receiving assurances from the producing company that the song had obtained legal waivers.

The insiders added that there is a document proving that the company obtained the necessary legal waivers for usage of the track in a specific way that includes TV shows and advertisements, encrypted and unencrypted satellite broadcasts, and encrypted and unencrypted aerial cables. It can be used in Egypt and abroad for 14 months.