THE FAMILY of late Cypriot composer Marios Tokas is embroiled in a legal battle over the inheritance of the acclaimed artist’s intellectual property.
In a court hearing that took place in Limassol yesterday, Tokas’ wife and children challenged the move by his father and Cypriot relatives to organise a free concert in Limassol in his memory, arguing that their consent is required before organising such an event.
The disagreement erupted months ago when Limassol Municipality, in co-operation with Tokas’ Cypriot family, decided to organise a concert in his native town. The plan was to invite accomplished singers to perform Tokas’ music in a concert that would be open to the public and free of charge.
The composer’s Greek wife and children hired MP Ionas Nicolaou as their lawyer to challenge the legality of such a concert without their consent. Nicolaou sent a letter to Limassol Municipality, warning them that such an endeavour may be subject to legal sanctions.
Not wishing to become involved in a family dispute, the Municipality of Limassol pulled out of the project’s organisation, although Tokas’ Cypriot family continued to plan the concert, which is scheduled to take place in Limassol on September 28.
The composer’s Greek family filed the case at Limassol court in a bid to prevent the concert from taking place.
The initial court hearing took place in Limassol yesterday and will continue today. At yesterday’s hearing, the Cypriot family’s lawyer Elias Stefanou filed a supplementary statement before the court, according to which the management of Tokas’ intellectual rights has not been transferred to his heirs yet.
The Greek family’s lawyer objected, asking the court not to accept this piece of evidence, based on the argument that the intellectual rights were transferred to the heirs, together with the late composer’s other property. The judge, however, decided to accept the document, a move that was considered positive for Tokas’ Cypriot family.
Marios Tokas is considered one of the most prominent Cypriot composers, based in Greece since the late 70s. His last work was the official anthem of TEPAK, Limassol’s Technological University. He died of cancer in April 2008.
