The High Court today ordered recording company Syncrosound Records Label Music Sdn Bhd to pay RM18,859.38 in royalties to singer Anuar Zain.

High Court senior assistant registrar Nurul Nadzia Abdul Aziz handed down the decision on the assessment of royalties on the sale of Anuar’s two albums, in chambers.

Only Anuar’s counsel, Aizul Rohan Anuar was present in court. Anuar and the Syncrosound Records’ representative were absent.    

In her judgment, Nurul Nadzia said the sum of RM18,859.38 was based on the sale of albums from unit 15,000 to 29,999 and not from the first unit sold.

Furthermore, there were no references to deducting expenses and cost of recording in the computation of the royalty, said Nurul.  

The court did not take into account the defence submission that Syncrosound’s production cost and expenses were higher than the amount of royalty to Anuar, as there was no evidence to support the statement, she added.   

Meanwhile, Aizul Rohan, who was met outside the courtroom, said he did not discount the possibility of Anuar appealing against today’s decision.

“I’ll discuss it with him, and if either party is not satisfied with the decision, they have a right to appeal,” he said.  

On May 14 2010, Anuar (Shahrul Annuar Zain), 42, won a High Court counter-suit against Syncrosound Records for royalties related to the sale of his two albums.    

The recording company had initially sued the singer on April 21 2006, alleging he had breached his contract with them by failing to complete three more albums.  

- Bernama