KUALA LUMPUR: "The late Puan Sri Saloma has her heirs, and her intellectual property (IP) is still not in the public domain yet," says singer Ito Mohd.
The Blues Gang frontman was quoted as saying this in a Harian Metro report today regarding the IP of the late Biduanita Negara (National Songbird), who was also the grandmother of his son-in-law Arzanee Armalie.
Ito said that despite the presence of Saloma's heirs and with her IP still not being in the public domain seeing that it has only been 41 years from the time of her passing, there were still some who disregarded the legal way to use her IP.
"Armalie Aman Ramlie (Arzanee's father) is my 'besan' (my daughter's father-in-law) and he is Saloma's son from her marriage to the late AR Tompel," said Ito who is currently helping Arzanee to manage the said IP.
"Recently, there was this event called Pasar Saloma, which took off without any agreement or discussion between the organiser and her heirs.
"I believe that awareness of IP is still lacking in Malaysia and this could lead to abuse or disregard towards the rights of the heirs of any deceased artiste whose death was less than 50 years ago.
"So two weeks ago, I've already talked to the organiser (of the said Pasar Saloma). If there's still no decision made regarding the matter, this issue will be taken to court," he said.
Saloma and Tompel married in 1952 and they were blessed with Armalie before they divorced.