Samsaram Oka Chadarangam – E427 – 18th Aug

In the case revolving around musical maestro Ilayaraaja and ‘Echo’ music company, the Madras High Court observed that the legendary composer cannot claim that he is the sole creator of a song as lyrics are also a part of it. ‘Echo’ company challenged the single judge order which recognised the special right for the composer over his 4500 songs.

Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq has heard the appeal of Echo as their representative Senior Counsel Vijay Narayan stated that a composer will not have rights if he takes money for his work from the producer and the ownership belongs to the producer. He cited section 17 of Copyrights Act.

As per reports, Ilayaraja has composed the music notes and he owns them but the performance, lyrics, sound and other aspects belongs to the producer who owns those songs. Ilayaraja’s representative Sathish Parasaran stated that music rights continue with the music director without agreement and presented sections 13 & 15 of the Copyrights Act.

Detailed appeal regarding this will be heard by the court in the second week of June. The counsel said that Sony Music too approached Bombay High Court asking to restrain the great composer from performing his tunes.