Delhi HC Upholds Saregama’s Rights in Ilaiyaraaja Dispute

The Delhi High Court on July 1, 2026 refused to lift the interim injunction favoring Saregama India in its copyright battle with Ilaiyaraaja. The order restrains the composer from exploiting, licensing, or claiming ownership over songs from 134 films including Annakkili, 16 Vayathiniley, Kavikkuyil, and Bharathi.
Saregama argued it acquired exclusive rights through assignment agreements signed with film producers between 1976 and 2001. The company flagged unauthorized uploads on Amazon Music, Apple iTunes, and JioSaavn in February 2026. Justice Tushar Rao Gedela noted Saregama showed a “prima facie, strong case” and would face irreparable loss without protection.
The court clarified that under the Copyright Act, “musical work” covers only the musical component, not lyrics or sound recordings. Ilaiyaraaja retains rights to the melody but cannot license lyrics or recordings that vested with producers and were assigned to Saregama. A related May 2026 verdict on En Iniya Pon Nilave upheld similar limits.
The ruling impacts Indian film and music industries by clarifying producer, composer, and label rights over legacy catalogues. The interim relief continues until final judgment. Saregama’s catalogue spans Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and other languages, reinforcing labels’ control over old film songs.
- Veda







































