Lebanese pop star Elissa is embroiled in a legal dispute over the control of her YouTube channel, a situation that has sparked a wave of support for her on social media platform X. The ongoing campaign, marked by the hashtag #Elissa_Right, has garnered attention from her large fan base as well as other celebrities in the industry.
Elissa took to her social media account to express her frustration and challenges in reclaiming her YouTube channel from a company she alleges wrongfully took control. The artist questioned the state of justice in Lebanon, detailing the difficulties she faced in securing her legal rights. After weeks of investigation, a public prosecutor decided that her channel should be handed back to her, yet the owner of the company allegedly resisted implementing the prosecutor's order.
The incident has drawn widespread support for Elissa from fans and fellow artists alike. Fans echoed her concerns about the state of the arts industry and the hurdles artists face in protecting their intellectual property. Actress Cyrine Abdel Nour also lent her voice in support, emphasizing the importance of artists having time to focus on their craft without unnecessary legal battles.
Watari Company, the entity Elissa accuses of taking over her channel, released a statement refuting her claims and accusing her of distorting the facts and fabricating allegations. The statement questions how Elissa obtained confidential information about a judicial investigation and asserts that her claims are a violation of judicial protocol.
Elissa's lawyer, Mark Hobeika, fired back at Watari Company's statement, criticizing it as lacking integrity and attempting to evade accountability for its alleged infringement on Elissa's artistic and literary property rights. Hobeika detailed the case in five points, which Elissa later shared on her social media for clarity.
In his media statements, Hobeika explained that Judge Samer Lesha, after conducting an extensive investigation, concluded that Watari had unlawfully taken control of Elissa's channel and altered its content without her consent. Despite Judge Lesha's order to restore the channel and its passwords to Elissa, Watari reportedly resisted, prompting further legal action.
Hobeika also accused Judge Ghada Aoun of intervening inappropriately in the case, allegedly pressuring Judge Lesha to release Watari's representative and close the file without due process. He argued that Aoun's involvement was questionable, given her lack of jurisdiction over the case and prior disputes with Elissa.
Elissa's ordeal has highlighted the challenges artists face in safeguarding their intellectual property rights in the region. The situation underscores the need for greater legal protections and fair treatment of artists and creators in Lebanon. As the hashtag #Elissa_Right continues to trend, Elissa's supporters remain steadfast in their advocacy for her rights and artistic freedom.
