DJ Bongz trademarked Gwara Gwara; Rihanna and Childish Gambino ‘illegally’ dancing it

DJ Bongz trademarked Gwara Gwara; Rihanna and Childish Gambino ‘illegally’ dancing it

DJ Bongz trademarked Gwara Gwara, his signature dance move.

What a time to be alive, when performing a dance move could be a copyright infringement.

Such is the case of the Gwara Gwara, a move made famous by South Africa’s DJ Bongz.

Just a few months ago, we reported how Bongz was taking the dance move international, setting up a dance class tour in the USA.

Please note what he said about the tour:

“I am going to tour America a few times between now and June and I was asked to come hold a workshop and teach people the gwara gwara. After the Rihanna performance I got a lot of calls and I am excited by the opportunity,” he told TshisaLIVE.

Dancing a different tune

Present day:

Apparently Bongz is looking at legal options because of the use of the Gwara by a host of American musicians- this came after the dance move was featured in the hit music video for Childish Gambino’s This is America.

“I have been watching the video and I am busy looking at my legal options because I am not impressed with all these artists using my dance without my permission. I don’t know what I am going to do right now, but I know that these artists must stop using my dance without asking me,” he told TshisaLIVE.

He reportedly trademarked the dance move last year and is waiting for documentation; however copyright lawyer Graeme Gilfillan disputes the fact that one could trademark a dance move. (You can trademark the NAME.)

Could this be a publicity stunt or is he really going after the biggest stars, which are, if anything spreading the Gwara Gwara further?

But people beware; DJ Bongz trademarked Gwara Gwara, be careful where you dance those moves.

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