Supreme Court Decision Against Ilaiyaraaja In Copyright Dispute
The Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Delhi High Court’s ruling in Ilaiyaraaja’s copyright dispute with Saregama India. A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran rejected the composer’s challenge concerning “En Iniya Pon Nilave,” from the 1981 Tamil film Moodu Pani.
The dispute concerns separate copyright components within a song: the musical composition, lyrics and sound recording. The Delhi High Court held that Ilaiyaraaja retains copyright in the musical composition he created, but does not own the lyrics or the original sound recording. Saregama was recognised as holding rights in the film’s sound recordings.
The conflict intensified after Saregama objected to the recreation and use of “En Iniya Pon Nilave” in another film. Ilaiyaraaja had entered an agreement with Vels Film International concerning recreation of the song, representing himself as holding relevant rights. Saregama argued that those rights had already been assigned to it.
The Delhi High Court found that Ilaiyaraaja could authorise exploitation or adaptation of his musical composition, but could not grant rights over the lyrics or original recording. The court also upheld Saregama’s position based on earlier assignments from the film’s producer. The Supreme Court’s refusal to interfere leaves that legal position intact.
- Veda
