Eden Ben Zaken and Noa Kirel face legal trouble with Egyptian creators
Three Egyptian creators have issued a pre-lawsuit warning, alleging that the song incorporates substantial elements of their viral work. They are demanding up to 7 million shekels or a settlement within 7 days.
Could this spark a diplomatic incident? Noa Kirel and Eden Ben Zaken have received a pre-lawsuit warning letter alleging copyright infringement in their song "Am I Lying?" (Ani Meshakeret?). The letter, obtained by mako, demands that Srit Productions Ltd. and Helicon Aroma Music Ltd. pay 7 million shekels, or reach a settlement of 2.5 million shekels within 7 days.
The claim asserts that the song, performed by Ben Zaken and Kirel and produced by Yinon Yahel, incorporates substantial parts of a work by three Egyptian citizens represented by attorney Tal Shmuel Perlman: Mustafa Abd al-Raouf Siam Abu Bakr (known as Mustafa Siam), Sameh al-Ashari Arafa al-Metwally Arida (Sameh al-Ashari), and Ziad Muhammad Ghreeb al-Sayed Ghreeb. They claim their musical and literary work went viral across the Arab world long before the release of "Am I Lying?"
"In the infringing song, substantial and identifiable parts of my clients' work were copied and integrated, primarily its central melody, and this without their knowledge or consent, without obtaining a proper license, without giving credit, and without paying any consideration," the letter states.
Beyond the melody, the claimants point to the adoption of the song's verbal structure: a boastful statement followed by the question "Am I lying?" and the repeated denial "No, no." They also highlight the intentional use of the names "Georgina" and "John Cena" as a unique combination featured in their original video, which had already accumulated over 13 million views by the time the Israeli song was released.
The demands include formal recognition of the three as the creators of the original work, correction of credits across all platforms, a full report on revenues, and a share in the song's economic rights. If a settlement is reached within 7 days, the creators have indicated they will not insist on the removal of the song, provided their rights are acknowledged and they receive a permanent share in any future commercial use of the track.
