Delhi High Court restrains Ilaiyaraaja in the copyright case filed by Saregama, next hearing in April |
The Delhi High Court passed a key interim order in the copyright suit filed by Saregama India Limited filed against legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja. The court restrained him from using, licensing, or claiming ownership over several songs and sound recordings that the company says belong to its catalogue. It also barred his partners, agents, and associates from issuing any rights to third parties. The judge noted that the balance of convenience lies with the company and that it could face irreparable loss if the injunction was not granted. The composer has been directed to file his reply within four weeks, with the case scheduled for further hearings in April.
Upload of songs triggers legal battle
The case gained urgency after the company told the court that some of the disputed works were uploaded in early February 2026 on streaming platforms like Amazon Music, iTunes and JioSaavn with ownership claims from the composer’s side. After reviewing the documents, Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said there is a strong prima facie case in favour of the company. The court relied on multiple assignment agreements signed between 1976 and 2001 with film producers, which show that the copyrights of the sound recordings and the musical and literary works were transferred to the company.
Copyright law and 130-film catalogue at centre
As per IANS, the court also referred to the Copyright Act, 1957, which states that the film producer is usually the first owner of the copyright unless a contract says otherwise. Based on this and the agreements placed on record, the judge said the company’s rights need protection at this stage. The conflict is one of the largest music copyright fights with a composer against a record label covering over 130 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi languages.
Next hearing scheduled for April
Further procedural directions were issued for the next phase of the case. The composer must submit his response within the prescribed time, and the company can file a rejoinder after that. The court asked both sides to complete the legal formalities before the upcoming hearings. The matter will first come up before the Joint Registrar and then before the High Court for detailed arguments. The order has now become a major talking point in the film and music industry as it directly affects the commercial control of a historic body of musical work.
