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Veteran music composer Ilaiyaraaja, who recently initiated multiple copyright infringement cases over the unauthorised use of his compositions in several films, has now suffered a legal setback in the Delhi High Court.

Earlier, Ilaiyaraaja had secured favourable orders from the Madras High Court, directing filmmakers to immediately remove songs after he objected that they had used his works without obtaining prior permission.

However, in a fresh development, the Delhi High Court has passed an interim order restraining the maestro from using or commercially exploiting several sound recordings and musical works. The order came in response to a petition filed by leading music label Saregama.

Saregama alleged that Ilaiyaraaja had been granting licences to third parties and uploading songs on streaming platforms such as Amazon Music, iTunes, and JioSaavn, claiming ownership over the works. The company contended that the original film producers had already entered into agreements granting Saregama exclusive, worldwide, and perpetual rights to reproduce, license, and commercially exploit the music as part of various films.

After examining the submissions, Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued an interim order barring Ilaiyaraaja from further exploitation of songs in a catalogue spanning over 130 films across multiple languages. The court observed that under the Copyright Act, 1957, the film producer is generally considered the first owner of the copyright unless a contract specifies otherwise. Based on the agreements placed before the court, it held that Saregama’s rights require protection at this stage.

Notably, both Saregama and Ilaiyaraaja are already engaged in a legal dispute over the popular Tamil song ‘En Iniya Pon Nilave’. In January last year, the court ruled in favour of Saregama, clearly stating that Ilaiyaraaja cannot assign the song to third parties as the music label holds the copyright.

The latest interim order marks a significant turn in the ongoing copyright battle between the legendary composer and the music giant.