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The comedy which features local comedian Lazarus Boora, popularly known as Gringo was produced by Enock Chihombori.
It is not yet on DVD and is being screened in local theatres. Through his lawyer, Mr Tapuwa Mudambanuki, Emmanuel Manyawi (39) denied the allegations when his trial opened before Harare magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma.
Mr Mudambanuki argued that the agreement between the film owners and the movie house has nothing to do with the Copyright Act.
“The law says there must be a subsisting copyright at the time of the alleged offence but in this case they do not have copyrights,” he said.
The State led by Ms Francesca Mukumbiri produced a document from the Censorship Board which the defence said it needed time to verify. The matter was deferred to June 11.
Allegations against Manyawi arose on May 13 this year around 5.30pm, when he went to Rainbow City to watch the movie.
Rainbow City manager, Garikai Nemi, was checking the smooth running of the movies, when he found Manyawi recording the movie while it was playing on the big screen using his HTC tablet. He was arrested.
Online Reporter