InfoHub Logo

A popular Kazakh song, "Almaty Tunderi-Ai" (Almaty Nights), has become the subject of a copyright dispute, more than a decade after its release. The wife of singer Alisher Kairatov has claimed that her husband is the rightful owner of the song's rights, alleging that Kairat Nurtas has been the sole beneficiary for years.

The Genesis of the Dispute

Sandina, Alisher Kairatov's wife, took to social media platform Threads to air her claims. She stated that her husband purchased the rights to the song in 2013. "Did you know that the author of the song 'Almaty Tunderi-Ai,' performed by Kairat Nurtas, is my husband Alisher Kairatov? They performed it together previously. According to the rights, Kairat should not perform this song with other artists – only alone or with the author," Sandina wrote, explaining her decision to speak out after 12 years.

According to Sandina, the song's rights were transferred to Alisher 13 years ago. Documentation indicates the agreement was finalized on January 18, 2013, with full rights transferred. These agreements were not publicly disclosed previously due to personal and professional reasons.

The Song's Origin Story

Sandina explained that Alisher and Kairat Nurtas have known each other since school. They reportedly agreed to collaborate on several songs after meeting at an event. At the time, Alisher was 16 and preparing for university entrance exams. Kairat Nurtas was invited to Alisher's grandmother's anniversary celebration, where he performed. Following this, the two decided to record music, purchasing the melody from composer Samat Ryspanbet. They also traveled to Shymkent to pay Kurmangazy Bakhtyarkyzy for the lyrics.

Alisher's side reportedly covered all expenses related to the song's production and promotion, including a fee estimated between $4,000 and $5,000. His family also financed the lyrics, musical material, and digital distribution of the song.

Following "Almaty Tunderi-Ai," two other joint works, "Kaidа-Kaidа" and "Qalаi zhetem," were released.

Legal Claims and Current Stance

Sandina asserts that her family has received no compensation for the song's use in advertising or on streaming platforms. They maintain that commercial use, including advertising or performances with third parties, requires an agreement with the rights holder, which they state has not been granted.

Alisher Kairatov's family is currently exploring the legal aspects of the situation, aiming to protect their copyright and seek a legal assessment of the actions taken by Nurtas's team.

Kairat Nurtas's Response

When contacted, representatives for Kairat Nurtas stated they had not received any formal complaints or official requests regarding the matter. They expressed respect for copyright laws and openness to constructive dialogue.

About the Song

According to YouTube Music data, the composer of "Almaty Tunderi-Ai" is Samat Ryspanbet, and the lyricist is Kurmangazy Bakhtyarkyzy. Kairat Nurtas Production is listed as the rights holder. The song exists in several versions, including Kairat Nurtas's solo performance, a duet with Alisher Kairatov, and a version with Nyusha. The duet with Nyusha has garnered nearly 30 million views on YouTube and over 3 million streams on various platforms.

It is worth noting that the lyricist, Kurmangazy Bakhtyarkyzy, passed away in October 2024 at the age of 49. She was known for writing over 200 hit songs during her career.