Supreme Court Issues Notice To Ilaiyaraaja On Sony's Plea To Transfer Copyright Suit From Madras To Bombay HC

The Supreme Court today sought a response from Music Composer Dr Ilaiyaraaja in a transfer petition filed by Sony Music Entertainment seeking the transfer of a copyright dispute from Madras to the Bombay High Court.The bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran agreed to consider the matter and issued notice in the same. Sr Adv AM Singhvi, appearing for Sony, stressed that the issue pertains to the copyrights over the music works of Ilaiyaraaj, and Sony was the first one to file a suit regarding this in 2022 before the Bombay High Court. Sighvi stressed for staying the proceedings before the Madras High Court.In its plea, Sony has stated that the subject matter in both suits and the issues raised are common; thus, in the interest of justice, the suit filed in the Madras High Court by Dr. Ilaiyaraaja in September 2025 should be transferred to the Bombay High Court, where Sony has already filed its suit in 2022. In September, Dr. Ilaiyaraaja filed a plea seeking to declare that Sony had no rights, title or interest in the music works of Ilaiyaraaja. He has also sought to restrain the music company from continuing the telecast/broadcast of his works.Why Has SONY Sued Ilaiyaraaja?Before the Bombay High Court, Sony Music claims that the Padma Bhushan awardee's company, by streaming music, is infringing at least 228 of the 536 title albums acquired by Sony through a series of transactions with various third parties. Sony states that the exploitation was brought to its notice in December 2021. The Suit was filed in 2022.It also sought ad-interim reliefs to restrain I from live streaming, or asserting any right to receive royalty over the 536 titles acquired by them and to disclose any agreements entered into regarding the title albums.In the reply affidavit, IMM (Ilaiyaraaja Music N Management Pvt Ltd) has accused Sony of making out a "false case of urgency", as the maestro's works (including the compositions Sony claims to own) are being distributed by 'Trend Loud Digital' since 2015.IMM cited a division bench's order of the Madras HC wherein the court stayed decree passed against Ilaiyaraaja in respect of 310 titles composed by him of the 536 titles.IMM said that Sony was aware of the distribution when it was negotiating for Ilaiyaraaja's entire repertoire of work last year. Infact, a non-disclosure-agreement was signed by the parties in December 2021 but the negotiations did not materialise into a deal.Ilaiyaraaja's Suit Before The Madras High CourtBefore the Madras High Court, Ilaiyaraaja sued Echo Recording Company Pvt Ltd claiming right, title and interest in respect of over 310 songs composed by him.According to the plaint, Echo obtained the copyrights of 536 title albums from various producers of films who were the first owners of such work composed by Dr Ilaiyaraaja and others.Echo then transferred the rights to Oriental Records USA in February 2020 and from there, through a Catalogue Acquisition Agreement, Sony Music acquired rights for the sound recordings in the same month.The Madras High Court held that Echo was the legal owner of the sound recordings and was entitled to exploit the same.The Madras High Court in the final order dated June 4, 2019, dismissed the suit against Echo. Subsequently, Sony, through an agreement dated February 14, 2020, acquired absolute, exclusive and unencumbered copyright in 536 movies/albums which were owned by Echo. Ilayaraja has now filed a fresh appeal before the Madras High Court against the decision of 2019. On September 26, the Court also directed Sony Music Entertainment to give details of the revenue generated by the company on a day-to-day basis from the broadcasting/telecasting of songs composed by music composer Dr. Ilaiyaraaja.Matter will now be heard after 6 weeks. In July, the Supreme Court had rejected a petition filed by 'Ilaiyaraaja Music N Management Pvt Ltd' (IMMA) seeking to transfer the copyright infringement suit filed against it by Sony Music Entertainment India Pvt Ltd from the Bombay High Court to the Madras High Court.Case Details : SONY ENTERTAINMENT INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED vs. ILAIYARAAJAClick here to read the order

Supreme Court Issues Notice To Ilaiyaraaja On Sony's Plea To Transfer Copyright Suit From Madras To Bombay HC

Anmol Kaur Bawa

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